Entrepreneur and TEDx speaker Stephen Hunt has been appointed as CEO of UnLtd, taking over the position Chris Freel left in December.
Following Freel’s departure to join oOh! Media as group sales director, the four-month recruitment process to find his replacement involved over 50 applications for the role.
Hunt was most recently CEO and co-founder of Music Health Inc and has held senior leadership roles at Universal Music Group, TubeMogul, AdConion and News Corp. He has also co-founded several startups including a non-profit organisation focused on healthcare and education.
Rebecca Darley, CMO at Domain and co-chair of UnLtd, said the advertising industry’s social impact organisation was excited to have someone of Hunt’s calibre joining at a critical time of growth.
“Stephen brings valuable experience, a global perspective and an entrepreneurial approach to help grow the positive impact our industry generates for young people at risk. He’s a visionary leader with a strong understanding of our industry, combined with a passion and skills for creating positive social change and growth.”
Darley added that, “The high level and quality of applications to the role is testament to the incredible work the UnLtd team has been doing over the years and the desire for our industry to create positive societal change.”
Under Hunt’s leadership, UnLtd will “take a more cause-centric approach to tackle key issues affecting young people at risk,” Darley said.
Hunt will join UnLtd on 6 May and work closely with the UnLtd executive leadership team, including Ashley McGrath, COO; Tiffany Damm, commercial director, Rachel Troy, general manager MOOD; Jade Harley, director of partnerships and Nina Nyman, CMO, as well as UnLtd’s corporate and charity partners.
Hunt said of his new role: “I’ve watched the UnLtd story unfold over the years and greatly admire the force for good it has become.”
“I’m so excited to be joining this incredible team and working with the wider industry to help take it to the next level. There is so much talent and passion for creating real change in our industry and I can’t wait to play a role in harnessing that power to do great things together.”