AFL names Adam Richardson as head of commercial
The AFL has named former Fairfax radio executive Adam Richardson as head of commercial for AFL media, replacing Matt Connell who has joined Team Epic as general manager sales.
The announcement:
The AFL has today announced the appointment of Adam Richardson to the position of Head of Commercial, AFL Media.
AFL Media is responsible for facilitating the AFL Network Digital Assets for the AFL’s Digital Rights Partner Telstra, including afl.com.au, the AFL Live App and the 18 AFL club websites and apps.
Mr Richardson was most recently Melbourne Sales Director at 3AW & Magic 1278, where he helped guide the Melbourne business unit of Fairfax Radio Network through the recent merger with Macquarie Radio Network.
Prior to that, Mr Richardson was Commercial Director at Crocmedia, responsible for establishing the foundations of the Melbourne business, while launching satellite offices across Australia as the demand for syndicated content grew.
General Manager of AFL Media Peter Campbell said Mr Richardson would bring great leadership and execution skills to the AFL Media Commercial Team.
“His strong relationships with commercial partners and extensive experience in developing cross media solutions will provide AFL Media with the type of leadership needed to take the business into its next phase,” Mr Campbell said.
“Following the successful conclusion of the broadcast and digital rights negotiations earlier this year, the short and long term opportunities that the shifting media commercial landscape brings is one that we are embracing with vigour.
“To have Adam join AFL Media at this exciting time will add great experience and passion as we look for further opportunities with our commercial partnerships.
In 2015, The AFL Network has seen cumulative monthly unique visitors grow to more than 103 million, and VOD streams grow to more than 119 million, with the AFL Live App and Club Apps having now been downloaded more than 4.8 million times.
“The growth in our digital platforms, and the resilience of our traditional publishing products, provide our clubs, our commercial partners, advertisers and our digital rights partner, Telstra, with a truly unique and powerful platform to engage with our passionate supporters,” Mr Campbell said.
In addition to the Digital Assets, Mr Richardson will also be responsible for the sales and distribution of the revered AFL Record (which will enter its 105th year in 2016), AFL Media’s growing native video production capability, photographic and archive footage licensing, and custom publishing and design functions for the AFL industry and commercial partners.
Mr Richardson will begin his role on Monday, 16 November.
Source: AFL Media
