Drive Network appoints COO Chris Polites as chief executive officer
Drive Network, the joint venture between Fairfax and motor publisher 112, has appointed chief operating officer Chris Polites as CEO.
Drive’s executive chairman, Shane Pettiona, was previously filling the role of CEO and retains his board roles.
Drive Network is responsible for Drive.com.au and TheMotorReport.com.au.
Pettiona said in a media statement: “The Drive Network is delighted to be appointing Chris into the role of chief executive officer. Chris is a passionate leader who has extensive automotive heritage in the Australian landscape.
“His industry knowledge and depth of contacts in both the technology and automotive industries will be an exciting injection of skill sets to our already highly experienced executive team and growth-focused business.”
Polites, who was previously carsales.com’s head of dealer and automotive, added: “I am truly excited about the opportunity of being entrusted into the role of CEO of the Drive Network, leading what is already an extremely experienced and committed team.
“Having worked in the online automotive industry for the past 12 years in senior roles, and alongside many of the current Drive executives, I am bullish that we have all the necessary ingredients to catapult an already strong growth business to another level.
“The platform and people that the Drive Network has invested in, and continue develop, in a short period of time makes it perfectly positioned to be a leader in the online automotive new car market and I am excited to be part of that”.
