Foxtel combines sales teams with MCN shake-up
Foxtel is to bring its sales teams under Multi-Channel Network as part of a new integrated sales and partnerships model for MCN, Foxtel Networks Australia and Fox Sports.
The restructure comes after the media sales group was slimmed down following Ten pulling out of its then joint-venture with Foxtel and taking its own sales in-house.
Martin Medcraf becomes boss of the combined Foxtel, Fox Sports and MCN sales teams
The launch of the new structure sees MCN’s national sports sales director, Martin Medcraf step into the newly created role of Foxtel sales and brand partnerships director.
Under Medcraf, Foxtel Brand Sales will manage the sales teams at Foxtel and Fox Sport while FNA Brand Partnerships and Sports Brand Partnership will be responsible for branded content campaigns across the two networks.
Medcraf said of his appointment: “I couldn’t be more honored to lead the new combined Foxtel Sales and Brand Partnerships team and begin building new, high value opportunities for the Foxtel business.
“This more effective structure means we can better share ideas, market experience and knowledge to develop stronger advertising solutions for our partners. With the ever-changing media landscape, it’s important we remain agile and responsive to our clients’ needs, so this team will be focused on ensuring a deep understanding of client, agency and Foxtel requirements that always deliver real business results.”
Foxtel CEO, Patrick Delany, added: “Our new integrated partnership model is the latest example of how we continue to lead in the Ad Sales space and this role allows us to work smarter by encouraging even greater collaboration and co-ordination across our Ad Sales teams.
“It’s great to see an industry expert of Martin’s calibre take the helm of this exciting new program that will provide value to our advertising partners, while opening up new opportunities to drive commercial growth for Foxtel.”
In the MCN announcement, CEO Mark Frain, said: “Over the last six months we have re-focused the business on two key traits that have always defined us: innovation and integration.
“This new team is the next step in this evolution and creates something truly unique in the market. By closely aligning sales and partnerships, we are creating new opportunities for advertisers to harness the power of the Foxtel platform.
“This new Sales and Partnerships model allows us to continue to lead the market by creating solutions that push the boundaries of what integrated campaigns can do for brands.”
What they mean is over the last 6 months we realised that we need to do anything to keep Foxtel. Makes sense where would MCN land without Foxtel?
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Why don’t Foxtel just bring their sales inhouse? A sales house that only manages their inventory feels like an idea from 20 years ago…
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Congrats Marty! Well deserved! Go QLD!
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The boys club lives on!
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Dangerous thing to be a white male in media with 20 plus years of experience these days.
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One of the great Sales guys in the industry – well done Marty!
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This restructure has to be a last ditch attempt to resuscitate life into this largely irrelevant business. It would have made more sense for Foxtel to cut their losses (like Ten did) and move sales in-house. Without a doubt, it’s going to happen at some point. Marty is a good guy though and I’m sure he’ll do what he can to make it work for the time being.
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The original premise of MCN was to create a single point of contact for all advertising sales for Pay-TV which at the time was distributed across Foxtel. Austar, Optus etc. Additionally they also represented channel groups such as Turner. The unanswered question is why does MCN exist if all channels are distributed by Foxtel – is MCN in reality Foxtel Advertising Sales? Is the latest changes an example of Brian Walsh finally wining his 20+ year battle to bring advertising sales under Foxtel. Good luck Marty!
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