Snakk Media, which operates across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, has appointed two new members to the company’s growing executive team.
Jason San Diego is the company’s new ad operations technology manager and Michael Kearney joins as group technology manager.
“With the business growing so quickly we’ve reached the point where specialist senior staff are needed to drive the company to greater heights,” says Snakk Media Group CEO Mark Ryan.
“We’ve been focussed on developing our product portfolio and growing the business very quickly; however, making senior appointments of this calibre is exciting as we see enormous potential across ANZ and Asia.”
Group technology manager Michael Kearney will oversee Snakk’s technology platforms, the integration of new technologies and software application development. Michael has recently returned to Australia after almost four years in California’s Silicon Valley, and more than three years in Singapore, where he was the chief technology officer and then managing director of technology company DOCOMO InterTouch.
“As we invest in more technologies and expand into overseas markets it is vital we have a highly-skilled, senior technology specialist in the business,” Ryan said.
“Michael has already shown a cool head and a steady hand as we integrate our recent US-based mobile media ad tech investments.”
Ad operations technology manager Jason San Diego joins Snakk following three years managing ad operations at LeadBolt, a global mobile advertising platform founded in 2010 that now serves 5 billion ads per month across 65,000 apps in 150 countries.
Snakk Media has a diverse range of mobile media advertising technologies at its disposal and Jason will be key to delivering the best outcomes for agencies and their premium brands.
Ryan said: “Jason’s mix of skills and experience are very hard to find in the region. We’ve been lucky to be able to add him to an already strong Ad Operations team at Snakk. And his name is awesome.”
Snakk Media recently moved its Sydney headquarters to new premises in Surry Hills to accommodate the fast-growing local team of more than 20 people.
In addition to Jason and Michael, Snakk’s executive team includes Luke Williams (group commercial manager), Max Flanigan (group partnerships manager), and Snakk co-founder Andrew Jacobs (general manager).
Snakk Media moves into Asia
Last month Snakk opened a Singapore office and appointed Michael Gooch to lead its Asian operations.
Gooch worked with Haymarket Publishing in the UK before helping Catcha Digital Asia expand into Singapore in 2010. Catcha Digital was subsequently acquired by OPT Inc. in 2013, one of Japan’s leading digital media agencies.
Ryan said Singapore was chosen as the company’s first Asian headquarters because it is a significant decision gateway for the region, with a heavy concentration of global and regional media agencies and brands.
“Centering our operation in Asia’s regional hub makes sense as the majority of decisions made in Singapore directly influence other markets,” Ryan said. “We also see Singapore as an ideal launch point for moving into other countries and regions, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia. It’s going to be a busy 12 months ahead.”
