Hearst UK appoints Robert Ffitch as chief strategy officer

Robert previously ran Manning Gottlieb OMD, where he held both managing director and CEO roles. The company was named Media Week’s Agency of the Year under his stewardship. Most recently, he was director of advertising revenues at Telegraph Media Group, with responsibility for display advertising and commercial branded content across both its print and digital platforms.   

Robert will join Hearst UK’s senior leadership team on 4 September, and will report to CEO James Wildman. His newly created strategy division will encompass research and insight, data strategy, B2B marketing and commercial development. Robert will also draw on his wealth of communications planning experience to support Hearst’s sales effort.  

James says: “This appointment is a major coup for Hearst UK. Robert is extremely smart, digitally savvy and strong on cultural development. He is passionate about our brands and excited to drive our business forwards. The fact he has chosen Hearst over many other suitors is testament to the size of opportunity we have in front of us. This is a valuable investment in our growth and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome him on board.” 

Robert says: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Hearst UK as Chief Strategy Officer. It is a brilliant role in an ambitious and exciting business. Hearst has some wonderful, life-enhancing brands, and I can’t wait to work with a great team and an inspirational CEO. I already have a ton of ideas. I truly believe that within this transformational media world there are some fantastic opportunities for Hearst to strategically develop and offer partners some very exciting and successful commercial experiences.”  

Hearst recently announced two significant editorial appointments, with Sarah Bailey taking on a new role as group editorial director of Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima and Susy Smith becoming group editorial director of Country Living, House Beautiful and Elle Decoration.  

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