The managing director at leading media agency TMS has welcomed Fairfax's creation of a new national sales team as part of the group's major reshuffle.

Andrew Lamb told B&T that although he was sad to see Jack Matthews depart Fairfax as part of the massive restructure at the media publishing company, he believes from a business point of view the news that a centralised team will represent all publications is good for the industry.

This centralised team will represent the publications previously managed within Metro Media, Financial Review Group, Fairfax Regional Media, Agricultural Media.

“It’s a shame to see someone of Jack’s calibre leave because we’ve always been very impressed with him as one of the leaders at Fairfax,” said Lamb.

"However, having a centralised sales force is something we’ve been asking Fairfax to put in place for years. From a business point of view today’s news is positive. It’s a shame that Jack couldn’t be part of the equation."

Lamb added that the major frustration agencies have felt has always been that Fairfax's business titles, such as the AFR, were separate from Metro Media.

"The fact they are now bringing them all together is going to make life much wasier, both for them and for advertisers and agencies too.

Ed Harrison has been promoted to lead the national sales team as group sales director as part of the shake-up, reporting to newly appointed managing director of Australian Publishing Media, Allen Williams.

Harrison said: “Media agencies are increasingly looking for solutions that extend well beyond traditional media. Combining Fairfax’s powerful media brands will see us deliver innovative and integrated advertising solutions at scale.

“I’m confident that this development will make sense to our advertisers and agencies and I’m sure they’ll appreciate the higher level of firepower that these changes provide.”

The management structure of the national sales team will be announced later this month.

Fairfax’s local, direct sales for regional publications will continue to operate independently of the national sales team. The Fairfax Radio sales team will remain within the Fairfax radio division.