Former VP ANZ at Kenshoo and MD of Microsoft Advertising, Liam Walsh, has joined mobile advertising tech company Amobee as its MD Australia.
Sydney-based Walsh, who also worked at Facebook, takes the reins from Matt Hunt, who announced his departure earlier this year as he embarks upon his own venture.
Amobee, which last year acquired two of its competitors - Adconion for $235milion and Kontera for $150m - in an attempt to consolidate its market position, says that as it continues to develop its technology-driven digital marketing solutions, Walsh will be responsible for managing new business opportunities and expanding strategic partnerships in both the Australia and New Zealand territories.
Walsh brings 16 years of digital marketing experience to Amobee and will build on milestones the company has established with ongoing campaigns and clients, such as Optus.
Prior to joining Amobee Walsh was general manager of sales and commercial for Fairfax Digital, before moving onto Microsoft Advertising as MD. He then joined Facebook Australia where he undertook a number of roles, including agency director, ANZ lead and preferred marketing developer lead for both Australia and Japan.
Most recently, Liam was VP ANZ for Kenshoo, where he focused on monetising core SEM and paid social technology platforms.
“Amobee is paving the way for the future of digital media globally with its Brand Intelligence technology,” said Walsh.
“I'm excited to join a company that is transforming the way brands activate their media which is aligned with my passion for truly innovative advertising. And I look forward to enhancing and expanding the great work the Australian team has done to date.”
Alex Littlejohn, senior VP of Amobee APAC, said Liam's deep marketing experience, coupled with Amobee's “cutting-edge” technology, will scale consumer engagement for brands and authentically connect them with their target audience no matter what device they are on.
“His track record of spearheading international organisations and launching new business initiatives in Australia also makes him the perfect choice to lead Amobee's ANZ operations,” said Littlejohn.
Liam is the second high profile hire for the company during the last month. In March Amobee announced the appointment of Ian Laurie as Amobee's ANZ team head of social. Laurie came to Amobee with more than six years of social marketing experience across America, Europe and Australia. Prior to joining Amobee, he held positions at Society, Ikon Communications and TBG Digital, where he helped brands such as Coke, ING Direct, Ford and Commonwealth Bank build social strategies, plan media and content, and increase revenue through social media.
Amobee Brand Intelligence technology is a source of data for brands and agencies due to the way it analyses digital content consumption and consumer sentiment, both historically and in real time, looking at what is seen, read and watched by consumers, not just what is "said" on social. This, says Amobee, enables its clients to activate media by leveraging these insights to deliver “powerful results”.
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