BuzzFeed commercial boss David Nemes exits
David Nemes, BuzzFeed’s local commercial boss, will leave the company next week, Mumbrella can reveal.
Nemes first joined BuzzFeed Australia in 2015, starting out as director of brand strategy. He became vice president of brand partnerships in February last year, and was responsible for leading commercial across Asia Pacific.
BuzzFeed says it wants Nemes’ successor to have ‘versatility’
Prior to joining BuzzFeed, Nemes spent more than five years at LinkedIn. Almost two of those years were spent as head of marketing solutions.
A BuzzFeed spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement saying: “We can confirm that David Nemes will be leaving BuzzFeed Australia on 24 May, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Nemes told Mumbrella: “I’ve had a great two and a half years at BuzzFeed and wish the team all the best. I’ll be able to share my steps soon and I’m excited for a new challenge.”
Although he declined to talk about it with Mumbrella, it is understood that Nemes had become increasingly frustrated at what he saw as a lack of autonomy and investment in the local operation.
His exit is the latest in a number of departures for BuzzFeed Australia.
Mumbrella understands an editorial assistant and office manager have been made redundant.
Earlier this week, Ten Daily reported BuzzFeed News producer, Nick Wray, would be joining its team in June. On Monday it was revealed Walkley-nominated reporter, Paul Farrell, had left BuzzFeed after less than a year.
His departure also follows the appointment of Tahlia Pritchard, previously senior writer at BuzzFeed, as editor of Junkee Media’s Gen Z title, Punkee.
Dean Nye, BuzzFeed’s former head of buzz, joined Nine in April this year.
BuzzFeed appears to be replacing some posts with short term positions, with the website advertising for a head of buzz, an office co-ordinator (on contract), a social media editor, an operations manager, a senior IT specialist (on contract) and client services manager (on contract).
But BuzzFeed this morning told Mumbrella it will continue to invest in its team. “Australia is a priority for BuzzFeed, and one of its most successful and fastest growing markets internationally,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re actively recruiting for a number of new positions, including a new leader with the versatility to support our quickly diversifying business and take our Australia operation to the next level.”
Mumbrella understands BuzzFeed Australia is hoping to grow the business in a similar way to the US where the content teams have become more tightly aligned with specific business opportunities.
It comes nearly six months after CEO Jonah Peretti revealed staff cuts across the US and UK businesses after the company missed its global revenue targets by up to 20%. At the time, BuzzFeed Australia told Mumbrella it was unaffected.
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Big loss for BuzzFeed. Dave is a top media professional and a great guy.
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‘Outsted’….bit rough terminology but for a Friday far out you guys are brutal sometimes
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One of the good operators – honest while still being effective.
Wherever he moves to next will be all the better for Dave’s involvement.
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Dave has always been a good operator who was highly valued when I worked with him and was instrumental in Buzzfeed’s Australian growth. Using the term ousted is done purely for clicks and is unsubstantiated in your article. Poor form Mumbrella.
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