Stephen (pictured), who joins Hearst Magazines UK in May, has unparalleled digital and cross-platform sales experience, and a strong background in leadership, strategy and sales, says Hearst. He will play a pivotal senior role at Hearst Magazines UK, driving the digital sales team and overseeing the continued development of cross-platform, integrated digital programmes for the company’s advertisers and digital agencies.
Stephen will report into newly appointed Group Revenue Director, Max Raven, and work closely with Digital Strategy Director, Rebecca Miskin, across the company’s portfolio of 20 magazines, 20 websites, 14 mobile sites and more than 150 applications and digital editions for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, as well as the Android platform.
With more than ten years’ experience in digital sales, Stephen will also be instrumental in helping identify new opportunities, platforms, products and services to grow the digital advertising business at Hearst Magazines UK.
Stephen joined Microsoft in 2009 as Group Account Director and quickly climbed the ranks leading a team of ten sales executives and driving the strategy and execution across two of their biggest agency partners, Group M and Omnicom. Last year, he was promoted to Cross Platform Solutions Specialist for the leading software corporation where he was responsible for promoting cross-platform solutions and multi-screen planning on emerging platforms such as Xbox Live, Skype and Windows 8. He was also the UK sales lead for Windows 8.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Stephen held roles at Virgin Radio as a Strategic Accounts Director and Titan Outdoor Advertising as Group Head of Premium and Digital Formats.
The new Group Digital Sales Director role, announced by Hearst Magazines UK’s Chief Executive, Arnaud de Puyfontaine, is in line with the media owner’s strategy to propel its digital agenda forward and create even more compelling innovative cross-media solutions for advertisers and clients.
Hearst Magazines UK has made a number of key digital announcements recently including the appointment of a new Digital Director for ELLE, Phebe Hunnicutt, who joined the business from AOL.
Hearst Magazines UK Chief Executive, Arnaud de Puyfontaine, says: “Stephen’s exceptional digital knowledge and sales experience is of crucial importance as we evolve our business and embrace new ways of connecting with audiences across multiple touch points. Alongside, our new Group Revenue Director, Max Raven, Stephen will be instrumental in ensuring that solutions for our advertisers and partners are not just multiplatform, but also innovative, inspiring, creative and ground-breaking. This role has huge untapped potential and will help drive our fantastic business forward.”
Stephen Edwards says: “I’m delighted to be joining Hearst Magazines UK at such an exciting and transformational time for the business. I’ve been incredibly impressed with Hearst’s commitment to creating quality, digital content for its loyal audiences across many touch points and platforms. I’m very much looking forward to sharing the company’s vision, strategy and unrivalled cross-platform opportunities with brand and agency partners.”
