APN Outdoor has appointed James Warburton chief executive officer, effective 22 January 2018. His starting base salary is $1m, including super, while the company has given him both short and long term incentive packages to supplement those earnings.
Warburton yesterday announced he will stand down as CEO of Supercars at the end of 2017. He replaces Richard Herring who left the outdoor business last month.
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APN Outdoor chairman Doug Flynn welcomed the appointment of Warburton as a key step in APN Outdoor’s continued growth trajectory.
Flynn said, “We are excited to have James join as APN Outdoor’s next CEO. He brings to the company extensive executive leadership experience, with a significant understanding of complex media environments including out-of-home media, dealing with key advertisers and media agencies, developing new income streams, and dealing with technological change and digital disruption.
Richard Herring
“On behalf of the board, I welcome James to the APN Outdoor team. We also thank Wayne Castle for his significant contribution as interim CEO during this period of change. Wayne will revert to his previous role as CFO upon James’ commencement with the group.”
Warburton comes to APN Outdoor with 16 years’ experience in CEO roles with V8 Supercars Australia, Ten Network Holdings, and Universal McCann. Warburton was also a director of Eye Corp, Ten Network’s out-of-home media business.
In addition to his CEO experience, Warburton also has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing and sales leadership roles at Seven Network, Yahoo! 7, DDB Needham and McCann Erickson. This included eight years as chief sales and digital officer at Seven Group with responsibility for the sales function across Seven Network, Yahoo!7 and Pacific Magazines.
Warburton was most recently CEO and managing director at V8 Supercars Australia.
Commenting on his appointment, Warburton said, “I am extremely excited to be back in the media industry, a sector I am passionate about. APN Outdoor has a strong reputation for innovation in the out-of-home industry, demonstrated by its leadership position in digital roadside billboards in Australia and its leadership in New Zealand via the strategic use of data to enhance the value proposition of out-of-home for advertisers.
“I look forward to working with the board, management and staff at APN Outdoor to grow the business, to continue to build on its leading market position, and to provide innovative solutions to support both advertisers and the overall out of home industry.”