ThinkPremiumDigital chairman Gereurd Roberts has hailed the appointment of Venessa Hunt as general manager as a "major coup" for the broadcasting and publishing group.
"There are few people in the Australian industry with her knowledge of the digital media landscape and the opportunities it affords advertisers," he said. "I couldn't think of anyone better to lead our team."
Hunt joins in early 2021 to champion the benefits of advertising in the digital environments of members Foxtel, Foxtel Media, Nine, News Corp, 10 and Seven West Media.
The group claims to reach more than 17.4 million Australians across genres including entertainment, lifestyle and sport.
Hunt was most recently chief digital strategy officer of GroupM, her five-year career there spanning roles as head of digital investment and partnerships, and head of mobile. She has worked in media roles for more than 15 years, and is also a board director and ambassador for the UnLtd charity.
Hunt says she is "delighted to jump in the ring and fight the good fight" on behalf of Australia's digital publishers: "This is a pivotal moment for the advertising industry, in Australia and all around the world. There has never been such a fascinating and diverse ecosystem with opportunities for improvement and change.
"Australia's digital publishers are powerhouses in their own right and as the digital landscape continues to evolve, advertisers are increasingly discovering the strength and effectiveness presented by aligning with professionally produced digital content."