Lou Barrett staying with Ten as MCN takes on majority of broadcaster’s sales staff
Sales house Multi Channel Network (MCN) has restructured its sales team as it prepares to take on the sales function for Network Ten, with 120 staff set to transfer from the free-to-air TV network.
The changes come following last month’s deal which saw pay-TV provider Foxtel take a 15 per cent stake in Ten, with Ten in return taking a 25 per cent interest in MCN.
Of Ten’s 150 sales staff 120 will move across to MCN, 20 are staying with Ten while the other ten have left the company. Current sales head Louise Barrett will stay at Ten “in a role to be determined”.
Barrett
MCN will also open two new offices in South Australia with Ten Adelaide general sales manager Cameron Mudge becoming sales director, and WA under sales director Paul Townsend, who previously ran Ten’s WA presence.
Other senior roles in MCN remain unchanged led by CEO Anthony Fitzgerald chief sales and marketing officer Mark Frain with Nick Young as national digital sales director, Martin Medcraf – national sports sales director, Shae Bonney – Sydney sales director, Ben Sumpter – Melbourne sales director and Kevin Hearn – Brisbane sales director.
“This is a sales structure for the times, and one which reflects the evolution of the television and digital advertising model in Australia with a focus on targeted premium video content and accountable, real-time trading across any screen,” said Fitzgerald.
“People remain a priority as MCN focuses on ensuring seamless service for Ten clients and providing the optimum sales representation to the market under Mark’s skilled leadership.”
Barrett, a highly respected sales exec, moved to Ten in September 2012 from ACP Magazines (now Bauer Media) under then sales boss Barry O’Brien, before replacing him as sales lead in July 2013.
Under the new structure Frain will also have new reports into from Ten with Danny Lavell in the role of national head of direct sales, Ian Smith will move to the role of Sydney sales manager – sports/entertainment and Grant Madigan will retain the title of national trading manager.
Frain
Frain said the new MCN structure allows advertisers to simply and efficiently find and buy audiences across any screen.
“Audiences engage with the very best content, no matter what screen they’re watching. We believe the role of our sales team is to connect brands to these passionate viewers in the most seamless way possible,” said Frain.
“Aided by our significant new investment in trading and data technology, we believe we are in a great position to offer the best premium content and most accountable and efficient trading platforms for our advertising partners.”
Under the new structure, the MCN team will grow to 450 staff nationally. In Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the Ten sales team will move into MCN’s offices while in Adelaide and Perth, the MCN team will share space at Ten’s existing offices.
“We look forward to working with our highly talented new team as we advance to simplify the trading models and position MCN as the first inclusion in today’s ‘all video’ media plans,” said Mr. Frain.
The agreement combines MCN’s existing 68 subscription television (Foxtel) channels with Ten Network’s 15 free-to-air metro television channels. Ten Network includes free-to-air television channels Ten, Eleven and One in Australia’s five metropolitan markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Ten Network CEO Hamish McLennan, said: “The combined MCN and Ten Network sales operation will provide advertisers with new and innovative ways to reach consumers across all video content distribution platforms.
“By joining forces with MCN, Ten Network will gain new efficiencies and improved data capability and will be able to provide broader integration opportunities for advertisers. We will also be able to further leverage our growing audience with enhanced scale and a broader, more targeted and efficient offering.”
Nic Christensen
how long until the sales team undergoes an “efficiency review” and half these people are out the door?
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