The New York Times has appointed Cella M. Irvine as chief executive of the About Group, the newspaper reported Thursday.

The appointment was announced Wednesday, and will be effective July 28. The About Group includes information and advice site About.com.

Irvine will report to Martin A. Nisenholtz, senior vice president for digital operations.

The About Group also includes ConsumerSearch.com, UCompareHealthCare.com and Calorie-Count.com, The New York Times reported.

Irvine succeeds Scott B Meyer, who stepped down in March. Prior to her About Group hire, she was chief administrative officer of Digitas Inc., an online marketing and media company.

The Times Company bought About.com for $410 million in 2005.