Northern and Shell appoints digital marketing boss to head of digital role

Northern and Shell has appointed Simon Haynes, the former managing director of IgnitionOne, its new head of digital for the group.

His role, according to a press release, will "focus on driving digital revenue growth across programmatic, video, mobile as well as working closely with our print and creative solutions teams to offer a multi platform offering with the aim of cultivating executive relationships at the largest media agencies".

At marketing technology company IgnitionOne, Haynes was focused on "Media Distribution (across Mobile, Video, Social, Search & Display), Data Management and Analytics". He has also previously worked at Digiland Media and Gorilla Nation Media.

He said: “Northern and Shell is a company in a great place and I’m proud and excited to be joining. I believe there’s lots to be done to ensure our clients get the very best service possible and we have so much scope to innovate in the digital space.”

Stan Myerson, group joint group managing director, said: “We are building a really strong leadership team and this process will continue over the coming weeks. Digital is fundamental to the development of our business and Simon is the person we feel can build on our already impressive achievements in this area.”

Northern and Shell said it is also soon to announce the appointment of a "high profile commercial director".

It said: "The enlarged team will be able to further build revenue based on the impressive increases in page views and unique users recorded last year. Comparing December 2014 to December 2013, the Express website increased unique visitors by 70 oer cent and Pageviews by 108 per cent; the Daily Star website increased unique visitors by 48 per cent and Pageviews by 106 per cent; and the OK! Magazine website increased unique visitors by 63 per cent and Pageviews by 189 per cent (Google Analytics, desktop, tablet and mobile combined)."