CNET (NSDQ: CNET) Networks, in the middle of a proxy fight for control of its board, has just announced Q407 earnings (which we’re covering separately), has appointed a new CFO: its lead M&A head Zander Lurie will be the new CFO, starting March 7. Current CFO George Mazzotta is resigning. In this new role, Lurie will oversee finance, investor relations, planning, and corporate development. He will report to CNET CEO Neil Ashe.

Prior to joining CNET in 2006, Lurie was a VP of investment banking at JP Morgan in New York and San Francisco where he led the firm’s equity and M&A efforts in the Internet sector.

Not clear: if CNET will appoint a new corp dev/M&A head...they might have bigger things to worry about now than worrying about doing acquisitions. Updated: Lurie will continue in the M&A role as well, the company told us.

Staci adds: During today’s earnings call, an analyst asked Ashe what was spurring this change. Ashe said Mazzotta had promised him when he became CEO that he would stay through the stock option investigation and the building of the financial organization, and that both had been accomplished. Ashe: “This is George’s decision to move forward and test other avenues for his career.”

Updated: From an SEC filing outlining the change: Lurie’s annual base salary will be $350,000 and his annual target bonus opportunity will be 50% of his annual base salary.

• Industry Moves: CNET Hires Internet M&A Banker As VP, Strategy