Foxtel-owned sports streaming platform Kayo Sports has appointed Anthony Hearne to the role of chief commercial officer.
The newly created role will focus on leading commercial strategies and customer acquisition and management. Hearne will also be responsible for driving business growth through data driven digital initiatives.
He joins Kayo after recently returning from New York where he was chief commercial officer for marketing technology startup, Rokt. During his time at Rokt he led global business development, operations and marketing among other responsibilities.
Hearne will bring over 20 years of digital experience having worked across telco, digital media and marketing for large corporates and global tech start-ups.
"With some impressive early success, Kayo is quickly transforming how Australians experience sport. The product is world class, and with plenty more in store, will only get better. I can't think of a more exciting business to be a part of at this time," Hearne says.
He will join the company on September 9 and report into Kayo Sports CEO Julian Ogrin.
According to Foxtel and Kayo owner News Corps' latest results, following the streaming service's launch in November 2018, Kayo grew over eight months to reach 382,000 subscribers, of which around 331,000 were paying.
“Ant joins the company at an exciting time. He will help supercharge our commercial and digital strategies, tapping into his global experience to deliver new and contemporary ways to grow the business. We can’t wait to have him on board,” Ogrin says.
Hearne joins the business after a recent shuffle in the company's marketing department, which saw the exit of chief sales and marketing officer Carly Loder.
Loder had led multiple high profile marketing stunts during her time with the business from old school blimp advertising to floating NFL games on Sydney Harbour and unusual consumer challenges.
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