Telegraph Scoops Times Ad Director

The Times‘ advertising sales director, Mathew Watkins, has defected to the Telegraph to become the newspaper’s new group sales director, ending his career with News International’s flagship quality title which has spanned more than a decade.

The new role will see Watkins responsible for all advertising at the Telegraph, including its classified division, reporting to the newspaper’s executive director, Dave King.

Commenting on the appointment, King said: “Mathew is a high-profile player in the press market and will add considerable experience to an exciting team we are building at the Telegraph Group.”

Watkins added: “I’ve had a fantastic time at News International working with some great people. However, the Telegraph are putting together a very impressive team and it was too good an opportunity to pass up.”

Watkins was appointed advertising sales director at the Times last year, after joining the paper in 1995 and holding several positions, including magazine manager, general manager of the London Property News and group classified manager.

Earlier this year saw the Telegraph appoint Alex Foster as its new head of classified advertising, a move which saw her leave the Guardian after 11 years. Also reporting to Dave King, Foster was described as “a fantastic addition to the new team,” bringing a “wealth of experience coupled with fresh thinking and masses of energy” (see Telegraph Appoints New Head Of Classified Advertising).

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