Former Pandora sales boss Chris Freel to lead media industry foundation UnLtd as Paul Fisher heads overseas
Media and advertising industry foundation UnLtd has appointed former Pandora commercial director Chris Freel as CEO, replacing Paul Fisher, who will be leaving in December.
Fisher, who oversaw a 34% growth in donations to the organisation over the last financial year, is relocating overseas for family reasons. There will be a month long handover when Freel joins the organisation on November 1.
‘One of those once-in-a career opportunities’: Chris Freel take the reins at UnLtd
UnLtd chair and founder Kerry McCabe said: “Chris’ commercial experience and leadership skills will be invaluable to UnLtd. He has deep empathy for our cause and believes in our vision to galvanise the industry behind addressing youth disadvantage.
“I would also like to acknowledge and thank Paul for his unwavering commitment and achievements over the past 18 months. Growing the industries’ FY17 contribution by over 30% YoY to $8.7m was an impressive achievement that most importantly resulted in many more young lives having brighter futures,” said McCabe.
Fisher: Relocating overseas
Freel said he was looking forward to working with the organisation, which has a five year goal to contribute over $100 million in cash to its charity partners.
“This role is one of those once-in-a career opportunities to apply my skills, experience and network to make a substantial social impact,” Freel said.
“I am excited and privileged to be given this opportunity by the Board of UnLtd and to lead the UnLtd team into its next phase of growth. I believe strongly in our ability to come together as an industry to create enormous social change and undo youth disadvantage in Australia on a truly massive scale.”
Along with his previous roles at Pandora and Fairfax, Freel was the creator of ‘The Big Clash’ cricket event between agencies and media owners which raised over $100,000 for various causes, including UnLtd.
Freel led the sales operations of music streaming service Pandora until it announced in June that it was closing its Australian operation.
UnLtd has raised in excess of $35 million in cash and contributed professional services to over sixty youth focused charities since it was launched in 2008.
Congratulations Chris and Team Untd; a fantastic hire!
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Well done Freelo and UnLtd! Cracking hire.
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Well done both parties – great cause, good luck Paul also.
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