Toby Hoon is appointed to the new position of Chief Information Officer. He will work across the company's portfolio to drive development of digital platforms, products and services, further engaging with customers and fast-tracking digital revenue growth, say the publishers.
Most recently Director of Customer Technology at Tesco, Toby was responsible for developing technical solutions which enabled customers to access products and services across devices and in-store. With over twenty years' experience in IT and technology solutions, both as a consultant and in high level roles at T-Mobile, Centrica, AOL and Ladbrokes, Toby has a wealth of experience in deploying technical solutions which enable companies to transform and grow.
Francois-Régis Coumau is appointed to the new position of Group Managing Director, with responsiblility for developing Immediate's consumer marketing strategies, as well as leading the company's data & transactions business. He will also work with the leadership team to develop strategic corporate business development opportunities.
Formerly eBay General Manager for Continental Europe, Francois-Régis managed a $250m region and drove significant growth in France, Italy and Spain. Specialising in search and consumer experience, he has also held major marketing and data roles at Mars and L'Oreal. Francois-Régis also sits on the board of multi-channel retailer Findel plc as a non-executive Director.
Both Toby and Francois-Régis will report directly to Immediate CEO Tom Bureau.
Tom says: "Immediate is committed to transforming the magazine media business model. At heart we are a brand development business, deploying technology and platforms across our markets to deliver compelling products for our 17 million consumers in the UK, and many more internationally. Toby will be at the heart of taking our platform strategy to the next level.
"Creating a new Group Managing Director role also illustrates our strategic intent - fast tracking our data and transactions offering, growing our subscriptions business, and looking for new business opportunities. Recent additions to our portfolio - including a leading digital planning tool for weddings, hitched - underline our ambition to grow both organically and through strategic acquisition. Francois-Régis has the perfect experience and skillset to add significant value to our offer."
Toby adds: "Immediate is not only home to some of the most well-loved media brands in the UK, it's also clearly setting the pace in retooling magazine media for fast and sustainable growth in the digital space. I'm genuinely excited to be joining such a talented technology team at such an important and innovative time for the business."
Francois-Régis adds: "Immediate is already known as a leader in subscriptions and in its use of data to drive transactions and revenues. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to work with such amazing brands to develop their consumer revenue potential, and build out on what's already been achieved in unlocking the value of Immediate's engaged consumers."
Toby starts on Monday 27 July and Francois-Régis starts on 1 September. They will join the existing leadership team comprising: CEO Tom Bureau, CFO Kevin Langford, HR Director Jo Brandl, Radio Times Managing Director Kathy Day, Group Managing Director with responsibility for Craft, Specialist and Youth & Children Andy Marshall, Group Managing Director with responsibility for Sport, Weddings, Food, Gardening & Parenting Julie Harris, Group Commercial Director Duncan Tickell and Director of Product Tony Macklin.
Immediate was named Company of the Year at the British Media Awards 2015.
