MSN Boosts Sales Team As Revenues Skyrocket

Staff – MediaTel NewsLine

MSN is to double the size of its sales team, marking the company’s largest ever increase in sales headcount following a year of record revenues.

The expanded sales force will create 30 new jobs, with new positions being created in all areas of the team. Agency sales, client sales, pre-sales and field operations will all receive new members of staff as MSN seeks to build upon last years performance and 66% growth in year on year revenues.

The boost to staff levels in the UK forms part of a larger up-weight in sales headcount globally, with MSN also announcing seven new roles in its pan-regional agency sales team.

The company claims its expanded sales operations will develop deeper understanding with agencies and clients, forging stronger relationships to increase customer satisfaction. The team will also be charged with creating more creative campaigns and offering improved reporting and accountability for clients.

The staff boost should also enable MSN to capitalise on the growth in the online marketing spend, which grew to £653.3 million in 2004 according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, pushing its market share above that of radio for the first time (see Online Adspend Overtakes Radio In 2004).

Chris Ward, commercial director of MSN UK, expects the increased headcount to make the company’s sales team the most successful in the country. He said: “I’m interested in hearing from outstanding people from both the online and offline worlds. The next few years promise to be very exciting for MSN as we continue our incredible growth if you want to play a big part in that, get in touch.”

The company’s European expansion will build on the company’s momentum over the past 12 months, seeing pan-regional revenue grow by more than 90%. The firm’s headcount has also increased by 160%, while many blue chip brands have implemented significant regional campaigns.

Marc Bresseel, regional sales director of MSN Europe, said: “This increase in both the UK and pan-European sales teams is representative of MSN’s continued commitment to the digital marketing industry. This growth will help enable MSN to serve more clients more efficiently across multiple markets, allowing us to produce increasingly creative and innovative campaigns which help our customers reach the audiences that matter most to them.”

Last year saw MSN expand its UK Revenue Team, recruiting seven new members to help drive digital marketing revenues throughout the coming year (see MSN Restructures To Drive Digital Marketing Revenues).

MSN: 020 7465 7700 www.msn.co.uk

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