News Australia’s digital marketing agency News Xtend has promoted Karen Gill to Head of Sales and Client Success, as it sharpens its focus on established small-to-medium enterprises.
The appointment is effective immediately and forms part of a wider shift at the agency, which is expanding its product suite, campaign capabilities and service model.
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Gill has spent eight years with News Australia. She was most recently Head of Strategy, where she led go-to-market strategy, product development and the rollout of programmatic TV, digital out of home and audio.
She will work alongside Stephen Warren, Head of Digital Advertising Operations, as News Xtend builds out its offering for small-to-medium businesses seeking more strategic marketing support.
News Xtend deepens SMB focus
Sheree Richardson, News Australia General Manager, Direct Sales, said small-to-medium businesses are looking beyond media buying.
“Small-to-medium businesses are no longer just looking for a media buyer. They want a strategic partner who understands their business, and Karen’s appointment signals our commitment to that,” Richardson said.
“Her commercial depth, combined with six years working alongside Stephen, means every client has a senior leader who knows their business, not just their campaign.”
News Xtend operates as a third-party performance agency backed by the News Australia ecosystem. Its clients can access News Australia’s media assets, data and research teams, creative agencies, and audience intelligence platform Intent Connect.
The agency draws on insights from more than 10,000 campaigns across Australia. It runs full-service activity across search, social, programmatic, SEO and video.
Programmatic and data opportunity
Gill said the agency is well placed to support more sophisticated digital marketing needs in the small-to-medium business market.
“I’m genuinely excited about the direction the agency is headed. The foundation is strong and the programmatic and data opportunity in the SMB market is one we are well placed to lead,” Gill said.
“What won’t change as we scale is the attention every client needs to move forward.”
The appointment comes as News Xtend expands its role beyond campaign delivery, positioning itself as a strategic partner for established small-to-medium enterprises.