Meadows-Klue To Step Down As IAB Chief Executive
Danny Meadows-Klue has confirmed that he is to step down as chief executive of the Interactive Advertising Bureau in the new year to pursue other interests, although he will remain in his current post until a successor is found.
Meadows-Klue explained that the IAB’s new chief executive should be in place by February, and while he has agreed to stay longer if a replacement cannot be found, he is unlikely to do so. Meadows-Klue will continue to deal with the IAB, acting as a non-executive director and as an independent consultant throughout 2005.
The move brings to an end Meadows-Klue’s four year career as chief executive and sees him move away from the organisation he helped to found in 1997. His new work will see him spending more time with his own marketing services company, Digital Strategy Consulting.
Commenting on the move, Meadows-Klue told NewsLine: “The reason why I can do this now is that we’ve got there. We’ve completed all of the things that I set out to do. We’ve built up a great team and a truly amazing amount of work.”
He added: “The latest PricewaterhouseCoopers research shows that online sales are now the same size as radio, and that was really my target when I was appointed as chief executive in 2000. It was a pretty ballsy goal back then, but we’ve got there and it’s really good to be able to leave it in safe hands.”
The outgoing CEO said that his role with the IAB had prohibited him from working too closely with some areas of the industry, a situation which could now be addressed. He said: “The industry has expanded enormously over the past few years and I’m looking forward to being able to take on quite a hands on role with some of the companies, and it would be a conflict of interest if I were to do that while I were chief executive.”
Meadows-Klue is credited with both building the IAB into its current state, and delivering revenue growth. The trade body chief is also held responsible for the majority of IAB projects across its standards, training, research and marketing programmes.
Richard Eyre, Chairman of the IAB said: “The online business in the UK owes a huge amount to Danny’s vision, tenacity and infectious enthusiasm. He founded the IAB and has made an unparalleled contribution to the growth of this industry. I am delighted that he will remain on the board and will able to help us with the transition to a new CEO.”
Tributes have flooded in for Meadows-Klue, with Bill Murray, chairman of the Association of Online Publishers stating: “I have long admired Danny’s conviction, commitment and enthusiasm. There’s no doubt that Danny is one of the few genuine trail-blazers and evangelists for our (relatively) young industry and his passion and insight have been an inspiration for many – me included.”
While Andrew Brown, director general of the Advertising Association said: “Congratulations to Danny for all he’s achieved for the advertising industry in the past four years; it’s great to see a new marketing medium come of age.”
IAB: 020 8683 955 www.iabuk.net
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