This week’s people moves include OpenAI, Google, Catena media, Target, TikTok, and more.
OpenAI has named Mark Bambury as its first head of advertising for EMEA.
Bambury previously held roles at Roblox as senior director of global brand partnerships, and X (formerly) Twitter as sales director.
ChatGPT only introduced ads for Europe last month, but Bambury’s appointment signals the AI firm is ramping up the roll out. Just this week, it announced the integrations with HubSpot and Shopify as well as sponsored agents.
The introduction of ads has seen mixed success so far, with OpenAI’s ad revenue set to fall short of projections by as much as 90%.
The ads on the platform were reportedly rolled out to 10%, then 50%, then 90% of its audience, with roughly 2,000 advertisers already participating in the pilot.
The ad model is still in its early stages, but brands, adtechs, and agencies are integrating with the service as it develops.
Other notable people moves
Google: Sapna Chadha named VP of ads, Asia-Pacific
Sapna Chadha takes on the role of vice president of Asia-Pacific ads, go-to-market strategy and operations for Google.
Chadha spent over 12 years at Google, after a 10-year stint at American Express, where she finished her time as vice president and chief marketing officer.
Stagwell: Liz Rutgersson named CEO of Assembly
Digital marketing firm Stagwell has appointed Liz Rutgersson (pictured below, left) as chief executive of Assembly with oversight of the global agency.
Connie Chan has also been promoted to chief executive of Assembly, Asia-Pacific. She will continue in her role as chief growth officer of Stagwell, Asia-Pacific alongside this appointment.
Catena Media: Martin Zetterlund as interim CTO
Martin Zetterlund has taken an interim position as chief technology officer at Catena Media.
Zetterlund will retain his position on the board while the recruitment process continues.
Catena Media chief executive, Manuel Stan said: “Martin has followed our technology work closely from the board and knows the organisation well. His experience of building and running technology businesses will support the team while we complete the recruitment of a permanent CTO.”
European Media Marketplace: Christophe Parcot appointed chair
Christophe Parcot has been appointed as non-executive chair for European Media Marketplace.
Parcot previously held a position as managing director and senior vice president, EMEA at Yahoo, as well as global chief operating officer at Teads and Ogury.
Uber Advertising: Elliot Gensemer joins as head of media
Elliot Gensemer has joined Uber Advertising as head of media, entertainment, and gaming.
Gensemer has spent time as director of enterprise at The Trade Desk, and as head of social media for Media.Monks.
Wolt: Vasileia Karantza promoted
Vasileia Karantza has been promoted to Wolt’s global marketing transformation lead after seven years at the company.
Karantza confirmed on LinkedIn: “It’s been quite a journey, with plenty of change, learning, and great people along the way. I’m excited to take on this next challenge. Onwards and upwards!”
Pinterest: Fintan Gillespie joins as UK and Ireland managing director
Fintan Gillespie has joined Pinterest as managing director of the UK and Ireland. He joins from his position as global director of ads partnerships at Snapchat.
Gillespie wrote on LinkedIn: “After nearly a decade at Snap, this marks a big new chapter for me, professionally and personally, as my family and I make the move back to London from Los Angeles.”
TikTok: Bruno Baracho joins as head of agencies
Bruno Baracho has joined TikTok as head of agencies. He joins after spending almost five years as agency development manager at Amazon Ads.
He confirmed on LinkedIn: “There is a time for everything. Time to be grateful for a memorable cycle, and Time to celebrate the beginning of a most exciting journey!”
R/GA: Sadie Thoma hired as global chief business officer
Sadie Thoma, former Google executive, has been appointed as its first ever global chief business officer for R/GA.
Thoma added on LinkedIn: “I’m here to help set R/GA’s course for what’s next: our growth strategy, our partnerships with the executives leading transformation at the industry’s most innovative brands, and how we commercialize the AI capabilities already reshaping this business, all in service of one goal: unlocking real, lasting growth for our clients and for R/GA.”
Global: Chief commercial officer steps down
Mike Gordon, chief commercial officer of Global media and entertainment group, has stepped down from his position.
Gordon has been at the company for 18 years, and will remain on the Global board.
Accenture Song: Melissa Fein appointed as US media lead
Melissa Fein has moved from her roles as Australia and New Zealand media lead for Accenture Song to the US, to help establish and scale the companies American media capabilities.
Fein joined Accenture Song in 2024, and has since helped develop the media, creative, technology, and customer experience for clients in the region.
Target: Mark Weinstein hired as CMO
Target has hired an ex-Hilton chief marketing officer, Mark Weinstein, as its new chief marketing and guest experience officer.
Weinstein will be responsible for developing the consumer experience, focusing on channels, culture, and community.
