Ex-ABC chief joins advertising tech start-up Hoppr
Former ABC MD Michelle Guthrie is joining the board of advertising technology start-up Hoppr.
Former ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie is joining the board of advertising technology start-up Hoppr as the group looks to expand internationally.
Ms Guthrie‘s appointment as a non-executive director is her second board role since her controversial axing as ABC managing director in August 2018, but it’s her first at a start-up company.
Chief executive Cyril Daoud said Ms Guthrie‘s extensive ad and media experience would be “invaluable” to the board as it prepared the rollout of its digital advertising platform globally over the next 24 months.
During her 25-year career, Ms Guthrie held senior management roles at Google, Foxtel, BSkyB and Star TV in Hong Kong, as well as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation “where she oversaw a significant expansion of the public broadcaster’s digital footprint”, Hoppr said in a statement on Wednesday.
Ms Guthrie was sacked from the ABC over her performance in September 2018, which led to many questions and the resignation of chairman Justin Milne just days later, leaving the board depleted of its two top executives.
Ms Guthrie was replaced by ABC veteran David Anderson, while Mr Milne was succeeded by media veteran Ita Buttrose.
More than a year after acrimonious departure from the public broadcaster, Ms Guthrie joined the board of ASX-listed sports technology group Catapult Group International as an independent non-executive director in December 2019.
Hoppr also announced on Wednesday the appointment of Vince Pizzica as co-chairman of the group, whose flagship product HopprTV delivers targeted video and display ads individual set-top boxes.
“The unique digital platform also supports interactive advertising to drive sales and engagement, with sophisticated analytics to tailor effective messaging.
Mr Daoud said Mr Pizzica‘s “unique blend of marketing and tactical skills”, plus his engineering and technical background will provide strategic direction during its expansion.
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