Newspaper Society Picks Agency Man As Marketing Boss
The Newspaper Society has appointed Robert Ray, a former head of Starcom Worldwide’s P&G global business unit, as its new marketing director, replacing Russell Collier who quit unexpectedly earlier this year.
Ray, a senior figure with over twenty years experience in the agency world, takes up his new position on 11 January with responsibility for selling the regional and local press to advertisers. He will work alongside commercial director Lynne Anderson and PERA director Santha Rasaiah.
His appointment concludes a high-profile recruitment drive sparked by Collier’s departure after just eight months in the job. It is understood that he resigned following a conflict of interests with Newspaper Society director David Newell and other senior members (see Surprise As Collier Departs Newspaper Society).
Ray brings considerable experience to his new role at a time when the Newspaper Society is working hard to help regional newspapers increase their share of advertising revenue past their current 6.3% mark. Forecasts suggest the industry will experience growth of 3.8% next year (see UK Adspend Expected To Grow By 4.4% Next Year).
A former founder of The Media Centre and Joint managing director of subsequently former MediaVest UK, Ray has also worked for SSC&B Lintas, Davidson Pearce and DMB&B. More recently he was managing director of Starcom Worldwide’s P&G global business unit, before departing to set up his own communications consultancy.
Commenting on the appointment, David Newell said: “The regional press is a £3 billion advertising sector and the only above-the-line medium to have grown revenue every year for the past 12 years. The appointment of someone with Robert’s wide-ranging agency and client experience shows just how serious the industry is about building on this success and growing its share of national advertising.”
Ray added: “Major national brands are starting to recognise the real benefits of getting closer to consumers through the regional press. I have always been a passionate believer in regional newspapers and relish the opportunity to work alongside these dynamic businesses to help them achieve their full potential in the national advertising arena.”
The Newspaper Society recently unveiled a high-profile marketing campaign to highlight the strengths of the regional press as an advertising medium, in an attempt to build on its recent successes and attract more companies to the sector (see Newspaper Society Launches Advertising Campaign).
Newspaper Society: 020 7636 7014 www.newspapersoc.org.uk
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