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Twitter makes first Australian appointment amid trip by senior executives

AFL social media strategist Jonathan Simpson has revealed that he is the first Australian Twitter employee, as senior executives from the social network make yet another visit to the country in preparation for the launch of a local office.

Senior executives from Twitter’s Public Policy and  Trust and Safety teams are currently in Australia meeting with politicians and media executives.

Jonathan Simpson announcement

Mumbrella understands that Colin Crowell, head of global public policy, at Twitter and Del Harvey, who leads the company’s trust and safety team, arrived in the country earlier this week.

Simpson is currently a social media strategist with the AFL and manages many of their social media presences across sites like Twitter and Facebook. Last night Simpson tweeted the news of his appointment writing: “Thrilled to be joining the team at @Twitter to help build sport partnerships in Australia. Tough to leave @AFL, but exciting times ahead!”

It is also understood Twitter is close to appointing an Australian markets director who will be responsible for managing their partnerships with media outlets.

Simpson has been with the AFL for just over a year and was previously the digital marketing manager for the Essendon Football Club.

A spokeswoman for Twitter would not comment on speculation about other appointments but told Mumbrella: “We are actively hiring a small team in Australia and plan to have an official office open this year.”

As Mumbrella reported in January, Twitter is focused on building partnerships with leading media outlets and sports organisations as the company moves to grow its Australian user base.

It is not yet know whether Twitter’s Australian office will be based in Sydney or Melbourne. However, two weeks ago the company confirmed the appointment of Thrive PR as its public relations agency; the firm has offices in both states.

The trip by Crowell and Harvey comes after the social network was criticised by Prime Minister Julia Gillard in January for not signing up to the government’s cyber safety guidelines.

Mumbrella understands that NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has met with the executives. It is also understood they are having meetings in Canberra.

O’Farrell has recently had his personal Twitter account verified by the company.

Nic Christensen

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