News Australia’s digital marketing agency, News Xtend, has promoted Karen Gill to the newly expanded role of head of sales and client success as the business sharpens its focus on serving Australia’s small-to-medium businesses.
The appointment forms part of a broader strategic evolution for the agency, which is expanding its product offering, campaign capabilities and client service model to better support established SMBs seeking enterprise-level marketing expertise.
Gill brings eight years of experience at News Australia to the position, most recently serving as head of strategy. In that role, she led the agency’s go-to-market strategy and product development, while overseeing the rollout of new channels including programmatic TV, digital out-of-home and audio advertising. She will lead the business alongside head of digital advertising operations Stephen Warren.
News Australia general manager of direct sales Sheree Richardson said the appointment reflected changing expectations among SMB clients.
“Small-to-medium businesses are no longer just looking for a media buyer. They want a strategic partner who understands their business, and Karen’s appointment signals our commitment to that,” Richardson said.
“Her commercial depth, combined with six years working alongside Stephen, means every client has a senior leader who knows their business, not just their campaign.”
News Xtend operates as a third-party performance agency within the News Australia ecosystem, giving clients access to the publisher’s media assets, audience intelligence platform Intent Connect, data and research teams, and creative capabilities. The agency delivers campaigns across search, social, programmatic, SEO and video, drawing on insights from more than 10,000 campaigns run nationally.
Gill said the business was well positioned to capitalise on growing demand for data-driven marketing among Australia’s SMB sector.
“I’m genuinely excited about the direction the agency is headed,” she said.
“The foundation is strong and the programmatic and data opportunity in the SMB market is one we are well placed to lead. What won’t change as we scale is the attention every client needs to move forward.”
Gill’s promotion takes effect immediately.
