Hart will oversee print and digital advertising revenue for Hearst Magazines’ global businesses outside of the U.S., working with the advertising sales leadership in each country. The announcement was made by Duncan Edwards, president and CEO of Hearst Magazines International. Hart joins HMI on October 1 and will be based in London, reporting jointly to Edwards and Michael Clinton, Hearst Magazines president, marketing and publishing director.
Hearst Magazines International encompasses nearly 300 magazines in print and more than 250 websites with traffic of close to 200 million unique visitors monthly, says the company. Hart will have broad-ranging responsibility, from sales strategy and execution, to partnerships with global clients and agencies, and will work with local and digital teams to develop programs that maximize the power of Hearst’s worldwide network.
“In today’s global economy, marketers are looking for creative, efficient ways to drive brand awareness through media at scale, and this new role was created to address their needs,” Edwards said. “Andy has broad experience in print and digital sales, deep relationships with global clients and agencies and senior operating experience in a matrixed, international organization. His formidable skills and knowledge will be an asset to Hearst and to our partners looking for smart solutions.”
Hart joins HMI from Microsoft, where he was vice president, Europe, advertising and online, and a member of the global executive leadership team. With a focus on growing revenue through deep customer relationships and solution-based selling, Hart redefined strategy and engagement models for the sales and marketing of consumer products, including Bing, MSN, Outlook, Skype and Xbox, as well as mobile and programmatic sales.
From 2002 to 2008, Hart was CEO of the digital division of DMGT (Daily Mail and General Trust plc). Hart launched MailOnline, made 15 acquisitions and built many successful brands, growing digital revenues to more than £200mm. Prior to that, he was CEO of Diageo Plc’s Translucis. Earlier in his career, Hart was managing director of Sunday Business Newspaper and senior vice president, Europe and the Middle East, for technology, media, events and research company IDG.
“Hearst Magazines is an innovative company with a portfolio of the world’s most well-loved brands,” Hart said. “I have long admired its rich content, superb client relationships and dynamic, market-leading digital strategy. I am excited to join the impressive team, to build scaled, creative programs across the globe that enable advertisers to engage with Hearst's vast audience of passionate readers in print and online.”
