Audit bureau boss Gordon Towell steps down
Audit Bureaux of Australia boss Gordon Towell is to step down after two years spent refocusing the organisation on measuring not just print but digital audiences.
Towell, who joined the ABA after running print giant Geon, is moving away from the media industry and will become CEO of Global Procurement Services. He will be replaced as the ABA organisation’s director of audit services Paul Dovas.
The ABA is the parent organisation of both the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) and Circulations Audit Board (CAB).
The major development under Towell’s tenure was the creation of the ABA’s Web Audit Service along with the ABA’s new Digital Watchdog Committee. the ABA has been at the forefront of campaigns for greater transparency in online metrics and particularly the use of auto-refresh by websites to artificially inflate their page views.
ABC chairman Stephen Hollings said: “In the last two years Gordon has made a tremendous and positive impact, modernising and rebranding the ABC, reestablishing its role in the digital arena and updating its data collection and delivery mechanisms. It’s been a pleasure working with Gordon and on behalf of ABC’s members we wish him all the best for the future.”
Towell said: “I am proud to have been involved in the reinvigoration of both the ABC and CAB associations, and the broadening of the focus for media accountability into the digital sphere.”
Dovas said: “I look forward to working with our members and the industry as we continue to bring accountability for media spend to advertisers and media buyers.”
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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