O2 appoints Managing Director of Media

O2 today announced that it is to appoint Shaun Gregory as Managing Director of its media business, a division of Telefónica O2 UK, effective 1st March 2009.

Gregory will be responsible for the overall media strategy at O2 as well as building an advertising business that can deliver unrivalled mobile and cross-media opportunities for brands in the UK. He will be charged with developing the business organically as well as through deals and partnerships to establish O2’s position as the market leader. O2 is already leading the way and developing innovative media strategies for a number of brands. Gregory’s appointment will continue to help O2 fundamentally change the way advertisers target and reach consumers in a very personalised environment.

O2 recently launched its media business designed to provide advertisers with targeted marketing opportunities across its mobile, email, online, in-store, direct and experiential channels. Gregory will have full P&L responsibility for the business unit that will develop controlled integrated offerings which will span the many channels O2 can offer and capitalise on its audience base of over 19 million customers.

Tim Sefton said: “We build our business on customer and market insight and believe that our media channels will be increasingly valued for the way in which we can connect brands and customers to everyone’s benefit whether that’s through mobile, email, online, in-store, direct and experiential channels.

We launched O2’s media business in 2008, fast developing a leading media channel for both UK and European advertisers. The reception from the advertising community has been excellent, and Shaun’s appointment escalates that strategy at key time for O2. We expect to build on the great progress we have already made and lead the way in developing innovative media strategies for our clients.”

Shaun Gregory said: “O2 is the clear market leader in the UK. The size of the audience and power of the brand need no introduction. The company has a clear opportunity in the advertising space and the ambition is one that excites me enormously. Brands are beginning to unlock the power of mobile, but when you add in further touchpoints, then it becomes a very exciting targeted opportunity. It’s great that we can openly offer this targeted opportunity for brands.”

Gregory will report to Telefónica O2 UK Customer Director, Tim Sefton, who is also responsible for Business Strategy, Communications and New Business Development, and who reports to Telefónica O2 UK Chief Executive, Ronan Dunne.

Shaun Gregory has a broad range of experience having worked in the UK media industry across newspapers, television, radio, magazines, digital and mobile for over 20 years. Prior to joining O2 Shaun was Chief Executive at Blyk in the UK, New Media Director at The Telegraph Media Group as well as Board Director for Emap where he stayed for 11 years. During that time he created, launched and developed some of the UK’s most innovative youth media brands, including Kiss, Magic and Kerrang.