Apple recruits key talent to lead drive into mobile ad sales

Apple has made its first concerted move into the UK mobile advertising market as it seeks to take advantage of the burgeoning sector.

Theo Theodorou
Theo Theodorou

The iPhone manufacturer has recruited two mobile ad industry heavyweights as it plans goes head to head with Google.

Apple has hired former Microsoft EMEA mobile advertising sales manager Theo Theodorou – who built Microsoft’s mobile ad network in new territories – as head of sales EMEA at its recently acquired mobile ad network Quattro Wireless.

He joins from publisher Hachette Filipacchi, where he was appointed commercial director of digital sales in October (nma 5 October 2009).

Meanwhile, Todd Tran, previously MD of Group M-owned mobile marketing agency Joule and a mobile ad industry veteran, has joined Apple as general manager for Europe of the Apple mobile ad network.

The moves come as Apple increases its focus on attracting UK digital media talent. It has appointed Jonny Freeman, Honda’s digital marketing manager, as EMEA digital advertising manager, while Simon Thompson, former Lastminute.com chief marketing officer, joined as EMEA general manager of Apple’s online store in August.

Apple bought Quattro Wireless last month for a reported $275m (£171m) (nma 5 January). The acquisition followed Google’s purchase of rival mobile ad network AdMob for $750m (£467m) last November.

It’s likely Theodorou and Tran will take responsibility for building a network of publishers and advertisers across the mobile internet and apps.

 

Recommended

Mobilise the people to shape your brand

Jo Roberts

The ability of personal recommendation online to sway purchasing decisions is well known, but some major brands are taking the concept of consumer influence a step further, harnessing its power to reposition brands, develop new products and broaden appeal.By Jo Roberts

Unicef launches five-year push

Marketing Week

Unicef is launching “Put it Right,” a five-year initiative with its first ever television campaign and supporting direct marketing activity to champion the rights of children across the globe.