NOVA Entertainment has announced the appointment of two specialist digital audio roles in order to meet growing commercial demands and leverage opportunities in the podcast and digital audio space.

NOVA Entertainment’s Melbourne market lead & commercial sales director Andrew Will said: “We have recognised the growing demand for audio as a platform and will continue to invest in this space.

“Alongside our partnership with Acast, the introduction of these specialist roles will solidify NOVA Entertainment’s leadership position in audio”.

With over 12 years of media sales experience, Ben McMillan has been appointed to the newly created role of head of digital audio.

McMillan joined NOVA Entertainment in 2013 as Melbourne senior sales executive before transitioning into his most recent role of Melbourne group sales manager in 2015.

McMillan has previously held senior sales roles at Pacific Magazines in Australia and the BBC London.

He was recognised with two Media i awards; in 2012 winning Victoria Magazine Sales Person of the Year and in 2015 Victorian Radio Sales Person of the Year.

McMillan was appointed to the newly created role of head of digital audio in January 2019, under the leadership of Andrew Will, Melbourne market lead and commercial director, to provide an expert client focus in the podcasting and audio space.

Elizabeth Maplestone will take up the newly created role of digital audio specialist, responsible for supporting and educating staff and clients on podcasting opportunities and developing strategic digital audio responses.

Maplestone has over 13 years experience in media, having joined NOVA Entertainment in 2011.

She has extensive sales and implementation experience across multiple platforms including seven years with Bauer and Pacific magazines and six years at NOVA Entertainment in senior sales positions.

Andrew Will said” “Ben and Liz have relished the opportunity to engage with the market in the exciting and expanding world of audio.

They were obvious candidates to provide leadership, ongoing education and progressive thinking in the audio space, to the broader market.

We are genuinely looking forward to their immediate impact as we traverse the world of audio with our clients and partners”.