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Former Yahoo7 boss Ed Harrison to lead Isentia

Media monitoring and intelligence company Isentia has appointed former Yahoo7 chief Ed Harrison as CEO, filling the position left vacant after long-standing boss John Croll stepped down last February.

Harrison, who left Yahoo7 after partners Seven and Oath wound up their 12 year joint venture in March, will earn a $676,000 annual salary when he joins the company on August 6.

Harrison joins iSentia after leaving Yahoo7 earlier this year.

Before joining Yahoo7 in 2014, Harrison was Fairfax Media’s group sales director. At the time of his joining the then Seven-Yahoo joint venture, Fairfax launched unsuccessful legal action to prevent him taking the role. Harrison arrived in Australia in 2001 to set up JC Decaux’s business in Victoria and South Australia. Between 2003 to 2008, he was the company’s national general manager.

Harrison has taken on a challenging role at Isentia as the company struggles with a floundering share price and recovers from its written off $48m investment in King Content.

The company, formerly Media Monitors, listed in 2014 at $2.04 per share. At the time of its listing, it had over 80% of the Australian media monitoring market, but in recent times has come under pressure from new entrants in the marketplace, most notably San Francisco based startup Meltwater which Isentia sued in mid 2017. The case was later dropped.

“I am delighted to be joining an iconic company like Isentia, which is widely known as the leading provider of media intelligence in the Asia-Pacific region,” Harrison said in a media statement.

“Like many organisations, Isentia is facing a number of challenges associated with the rapidly changing media landscape. I look forward to working with the team to drive an innovation, digital and product focused growth agenda.”

Isentia chairman Doug Snedden added: ““Ed has deep knowledge of traditional and digital media and has executed disciplined growth strategies in organisations across a range of competitive markets. He has broad expertise in leading product development and technology-based innovation to meet diverse customer needs in disrupted media environments, and understands the fundamental importance of client relationships.”

Along with Harrison’s appointment, the company also announced CFO James Orlando will be stepping down. Orlando took the role after Nimesh Shah stepped down in March last year.

“James has made a significant contribution to Isentia over the past year which has been beyond that of a traditional CFO,” said Snedden.”He has implemented processes that have enhanced transparency around the key drivers of the business and initiated a cost out program which is the first step in the transformation of our fixed cost base. The Board would like to thank James for his considerable efforts, commitment and ongoing support as Ed settles into his new role.”

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