Acast is bolstering its local sales team with six new hires, following the end of its partnership with Nova Entertainment.
Since 2017 the radio network had represented and sold Acast’s audio inventory but last week both companies announced an end to their deal.
Now, Acast has built out its own team to manage their sales, including the appointment of Tom Roach as Acast’s local creative strategy lead. Isabella Gibson-Giorgio, Katalina Haddad, Michelle Smith, Diana Lee and Teresa Ly also join the streaming platform in roles across account management and sales planning.
The announcement follows the appointment of Adam King and Liam Daly who joined Acast as group sales leads in April this year.
“We’re in a privileged position to be hiring and expanding – it’s a testament to both the strength of the Australian podcast industry and Acast’s leadership position within it,” says Henrik Isaksson, Acast AUNZ managing director.
“The team now offers Australia’s most comprehensive insights, strategy and sales unit that’s solely dedicated to podcasting. They represent the next stage of growth for Acast locally and present a huge opportunity for any brand looking to maximise the potential of their investment and sales objectives with podcasting. The decision to build our local sales team is something our publishers, podcasters and clients have been asking for.”
Acast says it hit record listener and revenue numbers in August with it continuing to exceed 31 million local listens last month.
Roach was previously strategy and insights manager at Southern Cross Austereo where he led the Sydney-based strategy team to drive direction for local and national sales.
“I’m delighted to be joining the team at an exciting time for Acast and an exciting time for the industry,” Roach says.
“There’s a huge strategic and creative podcasting play waiting to be unleashed in Australia. Acast is already leading this globally – I’m thrilled to now take the helm locally.”
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