High50 appoints former News UK director as group CEO

Left to right: Robert Campbell, founder of High50, group CEO Ian Clark, and editor-in-chief Stefano Hatfield.

The former director of News UK and ex-CEO of Naked, Ian Clark, has joined High50 as group CEO, following a “significant investment” from Winward Prospects.

Clark joins the lifestyle brand for “contemporary 50+ consumers” as it becomes the holding company for Beta, the marketing services agency set up by advertising creative Robert Campbell, and High50.

Clark will run the combined entity with Campbell as creative director, with the brands working together while simultaneously continuing as separate companies under the High50 group umbrella.

Prior to his time at Naked and News UK, Clark worked as director as advertising for The Times, Sunday Times and Times Online, and commercial director of The Sun, News of the World and News Group Digital.

Commenting on the move, Campbell said: “As media, creativity and technology converge, Ian’s formidable breadth of experience makes him perfect to lead the charge.”

Clark added: “It’s crazy that advertisers so willfully ignore the over 50s, despite their huge disposable income. High50, aided by Beta, is in a great position to change this.”