The Daily Beast has named publishing vet Stephen Colvin as the site’s first president. Colvin has left his post as an EVP of CNET after two years. He was previously president and CEO of lad mag purveyor Dennis Publishing for 11 years. In his new post, he’ll handle all aspects of the business, the company said. Colvin reports directly to Tina Brown, the year-old IAC-backed site’s co-founder and editor-in-chief. Specifically, Colvin will be responsible for revenue generation, audience development, brand development and social media. He will also oversee the new Daily Beast/Perseus Books joint venture, Beast Books, and will develop an event series.

Prior to joining The Daily Beast, Colvin was an EVP at CNET/CBS Interactive (NYSE: CBS), where he managed the Entertainment and Lifestyle divisions. Colvin also served on the CNET executive board at the time of the $1.8 billion sale of the company to CBS in May ‘08. He continued to serve on the company’s board after the acquisition as well.

During his tenure as president and CEO of Dennis Publishing, Colvin launched the U.S. business, which in addition to Maxim, includes now web-only music mag Blender and The Week. He was also credited with creating the interactive wing of the UK-based mag company, Dennis Digital, in 2005. As he did later with CNET and CBS, Colvin played a major part in Dennis’ sale to Quadrangle Group. He left Dennis in Oct. 2007, which was a pretty good time to exit. The U.S. business struggled considerably after his departure and this past summer handed Alpha Media Group, which became Dennis’ U.S. media arm, to its creditors.

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