News Corp Australia is further strengthening its digital sales and marketing capabilities with the announcement of two senior executive appointments.
After a two-and-a-half-year stint in New York as chief revenue officer for global marketing technology business Rokt, Neil Robinson is returning to News Corp to take on the new role of managing director for digital solutions.
In this position, Robinson will be responsible for the company’s digital advertising proposition.
Specifically, he will lead News Corp’s programmatic division; its data targeting capability, News Connect; its commercial content capability; advancing its digital partnerships; and will be responsible for driving the local performance of Unruly and Storyful.
Robinson held various senior leadership roles across a 13-year career in News Corp network advertising division and brings more than 20 years’ commercial leadership experience across the UK, Australia and the US to his new role.
Damian Eales, chief operating officer of publishing at News Corp Australia, said: “Neil knows the Australian market well, and will combine his local experience and global perspective to drive exciting and ambitious digital sales solutions for clients.”
Commenting on his appointment, Robinson said: “I am looking forward to the opportunity to enhance News Corp’s digital ambitions, particularly as we enter an exciting new chapter of growth.
“The depth of talent across News Corp – from content creation, to technology, to digital sales – creates a genuine and unique opportunity for us to evolve and innovate with marketers, agencies and tech partners as we strengthen our digital portfolio.
“We have a clear agenda to drive transparent and tangible business outcomes for those who invest with us.”
Robinson will commence his role in Sydney in July, and until then, will work on a part-time basis from New York.
Lou Barrett, who currently holds the position of executive general manager network sales at News Corp, has been promoted to the newly created role of managing director of national sales.
In this new role, Barrett will be responsible for leading the company’s advertising sales divisions nationally, in addition to her responsibility for managing the needs of its national clients across print media, digital media and marketing services.
Eales said: “Since joining News Corp 18 months ago, Lou has been instrumental in leading the transformation of our sales force to a client-first model.
“Lou has established a new key-account capability, industry specialisation in key growth categories, and deep digital product specialisation, all of which are delivering improved client outcomes and growth in key categories.
“Together, she and Neil will create a formidable team as they partner to deliver to our clients’ market-leading, all-of-business media and marketing partnerships.”
