Future poaches from Times and BT Vision for senior digital roles

by Hayley Pinkerfield, Revolution UK 03-Apr-07, 17:15

LONDON - Media group Future has made two senior digital appointments, including that of Daniel Ward-Lee from Times Newspapers, as digital commercial director, to support a wave of new digital activity.

Future plans to launch a raft of new sites and blogs this year to build on its existing portfolio of 70 sites.

Joining along with Ward-Lee is Matt Woods who has left BT Vision to become Future's digital marketing director.

Whilst at Times Newspapers, Ward-Lee oversaw the UK launch of www.ign.com, and set up their digital advertising team. Previously UK commercial director for sports dotcom, Sportal, he also spent nine years at The Telegraph group. He will lead Future’s digital advertising team, working closely with digital sales director, Ryan Ferguson, to sell solutions across Future’s sites.

Woods will work closely with the new media marketing manager with a brief to drive digital marketing strategies forward. He will also be closely involved with the development of Future's new web launches.

Robert Price, managing director for Future UK said: "Both are vastly experienced and have worked across a wealth of media, both traditional; print and TV and online. Their skills will bring new depth and understanding to our existing teams and help drive our ambitious plans onwards."

New launches are set to include www.tech.co.uk, cycling, creative design and music-making portals.

Future publishes a number of gaming and entertainment magazines including Total Film and Sfx.