Factual superindie Zinc Media Group has hired Damon Westbury as the new Managing Director of Zinc Communicate.
Westbury, who previously led The European Broadcaster Exchange and prior to that held senior commercial roles at Clear Channel, Microsoft Advertising, handbag.com, Carlton and Fox Kids, will spearhead the growth and repositioning of branded content agency Zinc Communicate.
He will be charged with growing advertiser funded programming, deficit funded programming, film, podcasts, rich media content and social marketing assets for leading broadcasters, media owners, platforms, publishers, brands and advertisers. He will also grow the Zinc Communicate Publishing Division, launching new titles, building advertising revenues and expanding the commercial team and will also develop the Zinc communicate corporate video division.
Mark Browning, CEO, Zinc Media Group, says: “The rise of conscious consumerism means that brand purpose is now at the forefront of brands’, CEO’s and Marketing Directors’ minds. Zinc Communicate has been extremely successful in helping brands drive positive change through authentic social campaigns and is now pushing further forward with a focus on content with brand purpose. The recent shift in consumers’ desires means there is a new opportunity for Zinc Communicate in this area.
“Damon has more than 20 years’ experience of working with – and for – some of the world’s biggest brands, media owners, agencies in both B2B and direct-to-consumer environments. He has consistently delivered excellence in creative solutions’ innovation and has developed some extremely successful strategic partnerships. We are delighted to appoint Damon to lead the development of the new Zinc Communicate.”
Zinc Communicate’s portfolio of business spans three divisions: Publishing, which produces magazines and digital content and sells advertising for institutions including RIBA and over 150 local authorities across the UK; Branded Content, launched last summer and headed by Dominic de Terville; and a Corporate Video division. Zinc Communicate’s wide range of clients includes BMW, Thames Water, Mattel, the BBC, Nationwide, Marks & Spencer and Astra Zeneca.
Damon Westbury says: “I’m thrilled to join the newly enlarged Zinc Communicate as Managing Director, working with Mark and the wider team to deliver Zinc Media’s transformation plan.
“It’s an exciting time to join such a renowned creative content production company. Fast changing consumer content consumption and behaviour, supercharged by the lockdowns over the last year, has truly demonstrated the importance of quality programming and content. Furthermore, with such increased content consumption, screen time and continued changes to the way we all discover and watch content, it’s never been more important for brands to deliver value driven branded content in order to achieve cut through, create consumer value and be readily discoverable; particularly in the face of the dramatic forthcoming changes to targeted advertising and the growing importance of topical authority, as this comes to the fore in search algorithms ahead of keyword search.
With such deep and rich experience in the creation of truly thought leading, factual content, I couldn’t be more excited to work with our partners, brands and brilliant team to leverage Zinc Media’s deep expertise in blending brand purpose with premium editorial and trusted storytelling, to create truly stand-out content.”
Zinc Media Group is home to Blakeway, Brook Lapping, Films of Record, Red Sauce and Tern Television
Jon Creamer
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