Guardian News & Media (GNM) has appointed Anna Bateson as vice president of platforms and partnerships, with a remit to manage the Guardian’s existing partnerships with Google and Facebook.
Bateson, who spent seven years in various roles at Google and YouTube, will be responsible for developing and building the publisher’s global partnerships, as well as overseeing all rights and licencing activity and commercial video strategy.
Bateson joined Google in 2009 as marketing director EMEA of YouTube, before becoming global marcom director of YouTube in 2012 and then director of global consumer marketing in 2015.
She most recently spent five months at make-up brand Charlotte Tilbury as director of digital – and has also worked at ITV and Viacom.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Guardian, a brand I have long admired in both a personal and professional capacity, at such a time of change and possibility,” Bateson said.
“The importance of the strong yet challenging relationships they are building with the key players in the platform space, combined with the momentum they are building around video, make this a role I feel extremely passionate about.”
David Pemsel, chief executive officer, Guardian Media Group, added: “Anna is a real talent who has a clear understanding of the unique opportunities that our relationships with the big platforms can offer and the importance, both commercially and editorially, of video as part of the overall reader experience.
“I’m delighted to have been able to secure her to come and join us at the Guardian and look forward to the impact that I’m certain she’ll have.”
