Whos who in the zoo: Acxiom

by Marketing ON 5 May 2010

Interactive marketing services company Acxiom Corporation has announced the appointment of Warren Billington as CEO of Acxiom Australia and New Zealand.

Billington will oversee all aspects of Acxiom’s operations in the two countries, including the development of all growth opportunities and strategic initiatives across the region.

Billington has more than 20 years experience in business and consumer marketing for leading global organisations. He co-founded and managed mobile communications agency, 5th Finger International, both in Sydney and New York, taking the business from start-up to being a major provider of creative and strategic mobile communication solutions.

“Warren combines a wealth of experience in business and consumer marketing with strategic and operational skills in a field that is marketing and technology driven. We believe his expertise in Acxiom’s traditional space of the provision of marketing solutions plus his successful track record in developing multichannel, interactive marketing initiatives make him the ideal choice to drive our future growth potential in the Australian and New Zealand market,” Acxiom Corporation’s chief operating officer, John Adams, said.

In his previous role for Red Sheriff, Billington was responsible for the management and development of sales across Australia and South Asia.

Billington formerly worked for interactive marketing services businesses such as Claritas in Europe and as a general manager for Pacific Micromarketing in Australia.

Whos who in the zoo: Starcom MediaVest

by Marketing ON 24 March 2010

Starcom MediaVest group chief operating officer Chris Nolan has announced the appointment of Yvette Mayer as chief digital officer across its Australian business.

Nolan said that Mayer has been with Starcom for 10 years, working across account management, strategic planning and digital disciplines, most recently as national digital director.

“Yvette has been a loyal member of the Starcom team, instrumental in business leadership as we have navigated the ever-changing challenges and opportunities of the digital media landscape,” explained Nolan.

In her new role, Mayer will be responsible for increasing all facets of digital media, including display, search, video, mobile and social media.

“I am really excited by this opportunity to drive Starcom’s digital direction for our agency and for our clients who have a strong appetite for a complete integrated digital experience,” said Mayer.

Whos who in the Zoo: EYE

by Marketing ON 4 February 2010

Out of home media operator EYE has announced the appointment of Hamish Michie as its general manager of sales strategy and performance.

Michie joins EYE with experience across the public sector, consultancy and the telecommunications and information technology at Vodafone Hutchison Australia.

“Hamish comes to EYE from the telecommunications industry and most recently, from Vodafone Australia, where he has held a senior role for acquisition marketing which, in essence, is responsible for the management and development of sales capability and performance. This includes leadership of areas such as talent management and development, sales operations and performance, analytics, marketing integration and effectiveness,” said Mike Tyquin, CEO of EYE Australia and New Zealand.

Whos who in the zoo: PepsiCo

by Marketing ON 28 January 2010

PepsiCo has announced that Kim McConnie has been promoted to marketing director for PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand.

McConnie took the place of Amanda Thomson, who after 10 years on the job is moving back to the UK to take up a lead marketing position for company’s operations there.

The move comes as PepsiCo progresses with a major marketing push in Australia to highlight its new logo.

Whos who in the zoo: Richard Finlayson

by Marketing ON 24 September 2009

SBS has announced that its current director of commercial affairs, Richard Finlayson, will be appointed chief operating officer as part of a realignment of SBS’s senior executive structure.

Finlayson will take over day-to-day handling of SBS’s operations including technology and distribution, human resources and corporate services, but will continue to have oversight of the company’s commercial operations.

The broadcaster indicated that a more streamlined Executive Committee structure will be put in place with the addition of two separate senior management committees to oversee SBS’s operations and content functions.

“The current management structure has remained unchanged for four years despite much change taking place to SBS’s services and internal operations. This new structure will ensure that SBS is well equipped to manage the demands of our complex operation while not losing sight of the importance of producing and acquiring great content across all platforms,” said SBS managing director Shaun Brown.

Whos who in the zoo: Hannah Rook

by Marketing ON 21 August 2009

Bebo announced that it has appointed Hannah Rook to the role of head of marketing, Asia Pacific.

The social networking site indicated that role was created to drive Bebo’s awareness in the region and to capitalise on the platform’s popularity as a marketing opportunity.

Prior to joining Bebo, Rook was head of digital for media agency OMD in Sydney, and previously spent four years with Ikon Communications where she reached the position of digital group manager.

Based in Sydney, Rook will work closely with Francisco Cordero, Bebo’s vice president sales, Asia Pacific, to shape the company’s go-to-market proposition in the region.

Rook will also work directly with third party brands that use Bebo as a platform to connect and engage with its youth audience.

Whos who in the zoo: MySpace gets new CEO

by Marketing ON 27 April 2009

News Corporation has appointed Owen Van Natta to the role of MySpace CEO.

Van Natta will be based in Los Angeles and report directly to Jonathan Miller, News Corporation’s CEO of digital media and chief digital officer.

“Owen combines a deep understanding of social networking, a keen business sense and the operational experience to guide MySpace through its next phase of growth. I’m confident his leadership will be an invaluable asset. I plan to work closely with Owen to shape our long-term vision around this vibrant community that already attracts more than 130 million users worldwide,” says Miller.

Van Natta previously served as chief revenue officer and vice president of operations for Facebook, where he helped negotiate Facebook’s $240 million investment from Microsoft.

Earlier, he served as vice president of worldwide business and corporate development for Amazon.com. Most recently, he was the CEO of Playlist, Inc., an online music company.

“I’m thrilled to have the privilege to pilot MySpace in what is sure to be an incredibly exciting and rewarding next chapter for the business,” says Van Natta.

Whos who in the zoo: Eye Fly new global director

by Marketing ON 13 February 2009

Out of home media provider EYE has appointed Jeremy Corfield to the position of global director for Eye Fly.

Having joined EYE in 2001 as general manager of the Eye Fly (airport) division, Jeremy has recently returned from the UK where he spent the past three years as CEO of EYE UK, leading the company’s business operations in the region.

Jeremy’s new role will see him commit his focus to the growth to Eye Fly globally.

Gerry Thorley, CEO of Eye Group, says “We are very pleased to welcome Jeremy back to Australia and into this new position. With Eye Fly now in five countries we have a large and valuable footprint on which to build and we are confident that Jeremy will direct, lead and grow the Eye Fly product on a global scale.”

Eye Fly is now reaching more than 178 million passengers per annum across 21 airports throughout Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore and the UK.

ACP circulation figures as of March 2008 also up

by Marketing ON 16 May 2008

ACP has seen audited growth across many of its publications, especially in the Womens Lifestyle weekly and Mens & Specialist weekly. OK! magazine recorded a significant circulation increase of 13.4 percent yoy, with an additional 16,768 copies sold over the past year.

To download a pdf copy of the most recent circulation figures for ACP titles as of March 2008, please click here.

Scott Lorson, CEO, ACP Magazines, said: ACP Magazines continues to invest in the weekly market and we are encouraged by period-on-period sales increases for many of our titles. We also look forward to the inception of Grazia, which in other markets has both carved out its own territory and contributed to overall category growth for weekly magazines.

Pat Ingram, group publisher, Women’s Lifestyle, ACP Magazines, said:

The current period-on-period trend is a good one; we are pleased to have all of our weekly women’s titles showing improvement in audited growth in 2008.

In the last audit, Woman’s Day grew market share against its major competitor (New Idea); Take 5 gained sales against That’s Life!; NW outperformed Who by almost 30,000 copies every week and Famous by over 100,000 copies every week, while OK! continued its remarkable rise as Australias fastest growing weekly magazine, added Ingram.

Phil Scott, group publisher, Mens & Specialist, ACP Magazines, said:

“Zoo Weekly enjoyed an outstanding 8.5 percent sales increase (120,000) to continue its reign as Australias biggest selling-mens magazine.Our mens portfolio will continue to evolve and we are very confident in its direction.