Zinc Media Group Appoints New MD To Grow Zinc Communicate

Leading factual content powerhouse Zinc Media Group has announced that Damon Westbury is to be the new Managing Director of Zinc Communicate.

Westbury, who previously led The European Broadcaster Exchange and prior to that held senior commercial roles at Clear Channel, Microsoft Advertising, handbag.com, Carlton and Fox Kids, will spearhead the growth and repositioning of Zinc Communicate. His core responsibilities across its three business units will include:

  • leveraging Zinc Media’s rich heritage in factual TV production to build Zinc Communicate’s position as a branded content ‘agency of change’ and drive growth of advertiser funded programming, deficit funded programming, film, podcasts, rich media content and social marketing assets for leading broadcasters, media owners, platforms, publishers, brands and advertisers.
  • growing the well-established Zinc Communicate Publishing Division, launching new titles, building advertising revenues and expanding the commercial team.
  • developing the Zinc communicate corporate video division, creating quality corporate films for UK and International trade bodies, associations and their members.

Mark Browning, CEO, Zinc Media Group, says: “The rise of conscious consumerism means that brand purpose is now at the forefront of brands’, CEO’s and Marketing Directors’ minds. Zinc Communicate has been extremely successful in helping brands drive positive change through authentic social campaigns and is now pushing further forward with a focus on content with brand purpose. The recent shift in consumers’ desires means there is a new opportunity for Zinc Communicate in this area.

“Damon has more than 20 years’ experience of working with – and for – some of the world’s biggest brands, media owners, agencies in both B2B and direct-to-consumer environments. He has consistently delivered excellence in creative solutions’ innovation and has developed some extremely successful strategic partnerships. We are delighted to appoint Damon to lead the development of the new Zinc Communicate.”

Westbury has a wealth of experience working with brands at the highest level: as Co-founder of buyfair.global, he led relationships with premium brands and the organisation’s expansion into new markets; as Interim Managing Director at European Broadcaster Exchange, he led the first-of-a-kind joint venture marketplace funded by Europe’s big five broadcasters; and whilst International Sales Director at Clear Channel, Westbury grew international sales and agreed the single largest Global media partnership in Clear Channel history. His career also includes eight years at Microsoft Advertising, where he rose to become Director Global Agencies and Accounts; Sales Director at handbag.com; Head of Sponsorship Sales at Carlton Interactive Media (ITV); and Head of Client Sales for Fox Kids Europe.

Zinc Communicate’s portfolio of business spans three divisions: Publishing, which produces magazines and digital content and sells advertising for institutions including RIBA and over 150 local authorities across the UK; Branded Content, launched last summer and headed by Dominic de Terville; and a Corporate Video division. Zinc Communicate’s wide range of clients includes BMW, Thames Water, Mattel, the BBC, Nationwide, Marks & Spencer and Astra Zeneca.

Damon Westbury says: “I’m thrilled to join the newly enlarged Zinc Communicate as Managing Director, working with Mark and the wider team to deliver Zinc Media’s transformation plan.

“It’s an exciting time to join such a renowned creative content production company. Fast changing consumer content consumption and behaviour, supercharged by the lockdowns over the last year, has truly demonstrated the importance of quality programming and content. Furthermore, with such increased content consumption, screen time and continued changes to the way we all discover and watch content, it’s never been more important for brands to deliver value driven branded content in order to achieve cut through, create consumer value and be readily discoverable; particularly in the face of the dramatic forthcoming changes to targeted advertising and the growing importance of topical authority, as this comes to the fore in search algorithms ahead of keyword search.

With such deep and rich experience in the creation of truly thought leading, factual content, I couldn’t be more excited to work with our partners, brands and brilliant team to leverage Zinc Media’s deep expertise in blending brand purpose with premium editorial and trusted storytelling, to create truly stand-out content.”

Zinc Media Group, the UK factual TV and multimedia content powerhouse, is home to some of the UK’s leading content creators. With offices in London, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast, Manchester and Macclesfield, its award-winning and critically-acclaimed television production labels include:

  • Blakeway, the home of high-quality specialist factual programmes focusing on history, archaeology, natural history, arts and music
  • Brook Lapping, the home of exceptional current affairs, contemporary history and investigations
  • Films of Record, the home of outstanding access documentaries and one of the UK’s longest established television companies
  • Red Sauce, the home of popular factual, factual entertainment and formats from London and the Regions
  • Tern Television, the multi-award-winning Nations factual producer with production centres in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Belfast

Zinc was assisted in its recruitment search for the role of Branded Content Director by Mission Bay Ltd. Westbury takes up his appointment at Zinc Communicate immediately.

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