The Association for Data-Driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA) has appointed Ben Sharp as it new managing director. Sharp replaces the outgoing Jodie Sangster, who recently quit the role for a position at IBM Watson.

Sharp brings almost twenty years’ experience in senior adtech, digital marketing, publishing and advertising roles at companies including Allure Media, Yahoo! AU/NZ and Yahoo!7. Most recently he held the position of VP and Managing Director at AdRoll.

Under his leadership, ADMA will continue to drive the data-driven marketing agenda, ensuring members and the broader industry can maximise the opportunities presented by data, technology and digital.

“Ben’s extensive and varied experience builds solidly on the momentum Jodie Sangster has built for ADMA over the past seven years. She leaves the Association in great shape, and Ben will bring a great new perspective and drive ADMA’s next phase of growth,” said Steve Brennen, chairman at AADL. “As data becomes increasingly integral to business, government and consumers we are faced with big opportunities as well as industry challenges that need to be tackled. Ben’s energy, expertise and direction will drive this agenda and ensure the industry has strong support and representation in a time of rapid change and evolution

Sharp intends to focus strongly on education to support the critical industry need, and to broaden the benefits ADMA provides. He will use its extensive network as the largest and most successful industry body to expand the Association’s reach and influence. This will include increasing government representation, delivering best in market events and networking opportunities, as well as further growing the IQ educational platform.

“I’m hugely excited to join ADMA at a critical time where the collision of data, CX, and emerging technologies is creating huge opportunities and will lead where the media and marketing industry goes over the coming year,” Sharp said of his appointment.

“ADMA is a 50-year-old organisation that has always been at the forefront of new product and technology disruption. My vision is to expand and evolve its position even deeper as the leading education provider and go-to resource for our 600 member organisations, and the industry at large. that wants to be informed, stay connected and achieve professional and commercial growth.”

Sharp will commence as ADMA Managing Director on 4^th April. Steve Sinha remains acting chief executive officer for the Australian Alliance for Data Leadership group (AADL) as the organisation conducts an executive search to appoint a new AADL CEO.