New appointment signals strategic intention in events space
17/08/12 Future plc, the international specialist media group and leading digital publisher, has appointed Jonny Sullens to the new post of Head of Events with a brief to develop conferences and events as a significant new revenue stream for the company.
Sullens will spearhead the creation of a raft of conferences, major events, shows and awards around Future’s market-leading specialist audiences in sectors including Technology, Digital Creative Media, Cycling, Crafts and Video Games. Future already hosts several internationally renowned consumer awards including the T3 Gadget Awards, the Classic Rock Roll of Honour and the Golden Joystick Awards – the world’s biggest video games awards.
Sullens joins from global live media and B2B communications specialist UBM plc, where he is Group Director, UBM Live London. Currently responsible for UBM Live’s portfolio of digital marketing, leisure and venue shows, Sullens was previously Show Director at Ithaca Media, where he drove significant growth across of number of events, including Leisure Industry Week, before the company was acquired by UBM plc.
Future CEO Mark Wood says: “Future engages with passionate and specialist audiences in many areas and we want to extend that engagement with B2B and consumer events. We know these can provide an opportunity to offer additional services to our consumers and allow them to meet experts and stars in their particular field.
”We see this area as a significant new revenue opportunity for the company. Jonny has the perfect combination of energy and experience to head up this exciting new business at Future – I’m delighted to have him coming aboard.”
Jonny Sullens adds: “I am really excited to be joining Future and to have the opportunity to build an events business around its audiences. Future’s market leading portfolios are tailor-made for events as all the ingredients are there: prestigious brands in growth sectors, editorial content, prospective attendee data and existing relationships with commercial partners.”
Sullens will take up his new role in October. He will report directly to the Chief Executive.
ends
About Future plc:
Future plc is an international media group and leading digital publisher, listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating 200 special-interest publications, apps, websites and events. We hold market-leading positions in Games, Film, Music, Technology, Cycling, Automotive and Crafts. Our biggest-selling products include T3, Total Film, Classic Rock and Official Xbox Magazine. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, musicradar.com and techradar.com (the UK’s number one consumer technology website). Future sells 2.2 million magazines each month; we attract more than 40 million monthly unique visitors to our websites; and we deliver over 100 digital editions and bespoke apps on tablet. Future exports or syndicates publications to 89 countries, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of magazine content. Future was named Consumer Digital Publisher of the Year for the second year running at the Association of Online Publishers Awards 2012.
For more information please contact Chris Taylor, Head of Communications at chris.taylor@futurenet.com or 0207 042 4033 / 07980 221942