News Digital Media appoints new sales director

News Digital Media appoints new national sales director

News Digital Media’s chief commercial officer, Ed Smith today announced the appointment of Tony Prentice as News Digital Media’s national sales director.Mr Prentice, former general manager, sales & marketing for APN Outdoor, succeeds Paul Fisher who has been appointed chief executive of the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Mr Prentice, who starts in his role on June 2, will report to Mr Smith. He will be responsible for sales revenue across all of News Digital Media’s websites including NEWS.com.au, careerone.com.au, carsguide.com.au, foxsports.com.au, and moshtix.com.au.

Mr Smith said that Mr Prentice would bring great expertise and a fresh perspective to the role. “Tony has a proven track record of delivering effective solutions for agencies and customers, and is a fantastic leader and motivator of sales teams. He is charged with driving revenue and increasing our share of the rapidly increasing online advertising market.”

Mr Prentice said “Right now the online space is the most exciting market to be in. News Digital Media’s class-leading websites draw huge traffic numbers and, when combined with News Limited’s broader network of newspapers and magazines, offers unrivalled potential to media agencies and customers.”

Mr Smith paid tribute to Mr Fisher, saying “Paul has been outstanding in his role over the past couple of years. He’s built the strongest online sales team in the market – one that has been responsible for enormous revenue growth and been crowned B&T’s Media Sales Team of the Year. I’m delighted that such a strong and experienced executive will be leading the IAB.”

After beginning his career in advertising sales on a range of niche publications, Mr Prentice was appointed account manager & direct sales manager at Fox FM, Melbourne in 1993. After three years in the role, he was promoted to Fox FM’s agency sales manager in 1996. In 1998 he left to join Cody Premium Outdoor, an APN company, as national sales manager. He was promoted to general manager, sales & marketing of Cody Premium Outdoor in 2000. He was appointed general manager, sales & marketing for APN Outdoor in 2004.