Isentia chief commercial officer Sean Smith to depart
Media intelligence and data technology company Isentia has lost its chief commercial officer with Sean Smith exiting the business after more than ten years.
Smith has been with Isentia since 2009, when he joined as country manager, before moving through the ranks to his current role. His departure follows a run of bad news for the business, including a $34m loss in the 2018/19 fiscal year results.
Sean Smith is leaving Isentia after over 10 years with the business in a variety of roles
Smith told Mumbrella he was excited to take on new challenges after a long, and rewarding, time with Isentia.
“I have had a long and rewarding innings at Isentia and proud of what has been achieved, but the time is now right to move on,” he said.
“I am looking forward to the next challenge and excited to be staying in the world of marketing and communications. I will miss the team at Isentia, but I leave with full confidence that Ed Harrison and and the new executive are doing a great job in refocusing Isentia for the next chapters of success”.
Current CEO Harrison has been in the role for just over a year, after long standing CEO John Croll departed, and joined from Yahoo7. In 2018, Insentia was named the worst performing media stock on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).
Many of the business’ troubles began in 2015 when it spent $48m on King Content, Australia’s largest content marketing agency, in a bid to prove that ad-free, brand-commissioned content was a legitimate and valuable approach to marketing.
At the time of purchase, Croll told Mumbrella he was confident Isentia could become a ‘billion dollar company’.
But losses for King Content quickly turned the ship around, and Isentia’s stock began to plummet, resulting in a $40m impairment for 2018/19, related to write downs for floundering parts of the business.
Isentia provides organisations with timely and relevant media intelligence across online news, print, radio, television and social media.
Sean is a top guy. An astute senior sales and commercial executive. He hasn’t had the easiest job, but he has done it well! Look forward to seeing his next port of call.
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Sean has done a great job and I am sure the next role will be successful. The last guy who knows anything about the industry is leaving the businesses.
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Still can’t believe they bought King content, all smoke and mirrors. Crazy
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Big hit for Isentia! I’ve been a client of Sean’s for many years across a number of organisations. His ability to connect with clients and understand our needs has been outstanding. Thanks and congratulations on your new role. Look forward to hearing where you’re going.
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Top bloke. Solves issues quickly and easy to deal with. Good luck mate.
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I’ve worked with Sean for a number of years and I am sad to see him go. He is a truly inspirational leader that I would absolutely work with again.
He has an enviable work ethic – I have never seen him low on energy!
I wish Sean all the best in his new role. I am sure he will be a great asset to his new organisation.
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Sean has done an exceptional job at Isentia over the years, he has been a pleasure to work with, this hire will be critical for Isentia to get right.
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