4DS swoops on rivals for online ad network hires

Sound, who joined 4DS in February (Media Week, 27 February). Stewart's
role will involve managing ad campaigns and finding new business.

4DS has also hired director Matt Gower's former right-hand man,
Christian Sellars, as its network sales manager.

The two worked together at independent ad network Media Run. Gower was a
co-founder of Media Run before leaving to head 4DS. Sellars joined Media
Run a year after it was founded. He rose to network sales manager before
leaving for 4DS.

In his new role, Sellars will be responsible for the performance of the
network sales team and the sales strategy, reporting to Gower.

Media Run has moved to boost its team as a result of the departure of
Gower and Sellars. The ad network has hired Tim Preston as commercial
director. Preston was previously at Media Run's rival ad network,
Adpepper.

While Adpepper has not yet filled the business development director
role, it has hired Nick Chapman as sales director. Chapman has moved
into online from print, having worked in sales at News Group Newspapers,
operating across several national titles.

The online ad network sector has been in flux since the arrival of
several new players in the market. 4DS, along with Orange, AOL and Sky,
all now offer site representation in a sector that was previously
dominated by independent firms, AOL-owned Advertising.com and
ValueClick-owned VCMedia.

Industry executives say talk of acquisitions and mergers is wide of the
mark at the moment, although some expect to see some activity next year.