Trinity Mirror Poaches Virgin Net Staff For ic24

Trinity Mirror has raided Virgin Net to recruit five senior staff to its ic24.co.uk internet service provider (see Mirror Launches New Free Net Access Portal). The appointments have been made by David Clarke, Trinity Mirror’s group managing director of new media, who left his post as CEO of Virgin Net in April to join ic24 (see Mirror Group Announces New Media Division and Free ISP).

Jason Smith has been appointed as sales director for ic24. Whilst at Virgin Net, Smith built up a sales team which generated advertising and sponsorship sales in excess of £3.5 million; Trinity Mirror is hoping he can replicate this at ic24. Ex Virgin Net editorial director, Rebecca St Johnston has moved over to become ic24’s managing director of content and she will be backed by deputy Rick Glanvill and managing editor of content, David Black, both of whom join from Virgin Net.

Commenting on the appointments, Clarke says: “All our new staff will be invaluable in developing what we believe to be a paramount area of our business. Forty percent of the UK population reads a Trinity Mirror title each week, whether it be at a national or regional level. Trinity Mirror’s online traffic has been growing exponentially and we are already generating 45 million page impressions a month, matching that of some of our biggest brand name competitors. We plan to build on these proven capabilities to generate significant reach and revenue growth.”

Trinity Mirror: 0171 293 3000