19/10/12 Future plc, the international specialist media group and leading digital publisher, has appointed James Ranson as Sales Director – London.
Ranson was previously head of sales for Future’s Technology Group, which includes the company’s biggest and fastest-growing websites and its leading lifestyle and tech brand, T3. His promotion follows the departure of Malcolm Stoodley last month.
Future CEO Mark Wood said: “Our business is changing at speed and our digital audience is growing rapidly. We need to keep rethinking and reshaping our approach to ad sales and James has already shown he is the person to do that. He heads a strong group of managers and a dynamic ad sales team. He has the ideas, drive and determination to make them the most formidable sales force in London.”
James Ranson said: “At Future, we understand consumers, content and technology. That’s a hugely appealing package for our commercial partners. As Apple readies to announce its latest tablet innovation, and our digital penetration continues to grow, I am delighted to be taking on this new challenge leading the London Advertising division. With the strength of our brands and the engagement of our consumers, Future has never been in a more promising position. We have a fantastic team and I look forward to building on our success as we accelerate our growth across a range of platforms.”
Ranson joined Future in October 2009 after working across tech and auto brands at Haymarket and Incisive Media. At Future he was first Ad Sales Director for T3 before taking on responsibility for the whole of Future’s Technology Group. Since then James has increased revenues for T3, delivered its biggest ever sales issue, and successfully launched the T3 iPad edition into the commercial market – the first UK magazine in that space and still the leader.
As well as managing and directing the London advertising sales team, Ranson will work with Future’s Bath Sales Director, Clare Coleman-Straw and Digital Commercial Director, Nick King, to maximise Future’s commercial potential.
Ranson will report to the Chief Executive, Mark Wood.
For more information please contact Ben Pester, Communications Manager at ben.pester@futurenet.com or 0207 042 4035 and 07737 138 384
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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 45 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 and PPA Digital Consumer Publisher of the Year 2012.