Ben Sharp joins Pure Profile as head of revenue and operations
Ben Sharp – the man who was managing director of adtech company AdRoll, before spending two weeks at the helm of industry association ADMA – has resurfaced as the head of revenue and operations at online research and digital advertising operation Pure Profile.
The company has faced a number of staffing and leadership challenges in recent months with chairman Andrew Edwards surviving a board attempt to fire him and CEO Nic Jones conceding the company needs to get better at communicating what is actually does.
Sharp commences with Pure Profile on 24 July
Today’s ASX announcement also confirmed Edwards will return to his previous non-executive chairman role.
Pure Profile said Sharp boasted an impressive career spanning group sales manager at Yahoo 7, chairman of the IAB Technology Council and managing director and vice president (APAC) of AdRoll Group.
The new role will involve overseeing the sales process from business development to delivery with a focus on simplifying the product offerings across all business units, the ASX release said.
“Ben’s role will be significant in optimising revenue growth across Pure Profile’s ANZ operations, the company’s biggest market. It is intended that the success of his strategy will be replicated across other markets in time,” the release said.
He commences the role on 24 July.
The announcement also further explained the Edwards shuffle.
CEO Jones explained: “Andrew [Edwards] has dealt with legacy issues, many of which have been attributed to him. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew for his support and deep involvement in helping turn this company around.”
Jones said he was confident he and Edwards could deliver on the brand’s promises with the new management structure.
In addition, EJ Guren has joined the company from Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amnet. Guren becomes head of marketing and communications and joins the senior leadership team.
She will lead the marketing, internal communications and public relations functions across the group once she commences on 2 July.
Despite the difficulties the company has faced in recent times, Jones was optimistic about the future.
“As we embark on FY2019, I am very pleased with the executive team I have been able to put together,” he said. “We have a talented and passionate team of staff here in Australia and globally. We realise there is still much to do to deliver value to our shareholders. The first step has been to have a strong, supportive team behind me. Next step: execute and deliver.”
Timeline of Pure Profile’s upheaval in 2017/2018:
15 March, 2017: Pure Profile looks beyond research as Andrew Edwards takes executive chairman role
6 December: Advertising Week APAC’s advisory council chairman Nic Jones to head Pure Profile
5 February, 2018: Pure Profile’s former CEO and founder Paul Chan exits after 18 years
1 March: Pure Profile sees half year losses widen after ‘challenging and transformational’ period
2 March: We need to communicate better what we do’ says Pure Profile CEO
6 March: ‘A company in turmoil’ – Pure Profile shareholders attack chairman Andrew Edwards
6 March: Pure Profile facing battle for control with bid to depose chairman Andrew Edwards
9 March: Pure Profile claims it was misled over its $25m+ acquisition of digital agency Cohort
26 March: Pure Profile chairman Andrew Edwards survives attempt to fire him from board
Nice one Ben – All the best in the new role. (And nice hire PP)
User ID not verified.
You spelt Jones wrong in the second last paragraph.
User ID not verified.
Thank you Spell Checker, we’ve fixed that.
You guys should cut PP some slack. Yeah they made some poor decisions a while back but hell, name an entrepreneurial business who hasn’t made a mistake or two. Also they’ve got a new team in there so dredging timelines of upheaval isn’t really giving an Aussie startup any help. Focus on the positive – Ben is a great new addition to the team and Nic is making positive changes and progress.
All the best to PP and I hope they see the success they deserve.
User ID not verified.