The Telegraph strengthen commercial team with new hires Karen Eccles and Joanna Lawrence

The Telegraph has strengthened its commercial team with two new hires to leadership positions. Joanna Lawrence has been appointed to the newly created role of Managing Director, Strategy and Client Development, whilst Karen Eccles has been recruited as Digital Sales and Innovation Director.

Nick Hugh, CEO, The Telegraph said “It is a pleasure to welcome both Karen and Joanna to the Telegraph. Innovation and a strong client strategy are essential to sustaining the future success of The Telegraph, and the experience and expertise Karen and Joanna bring to their roles is invaluable.”

Joanna will lead the Client Strategy & Development teams and will also have responsibility for trade marketing, reporting into Chief Revenue Officer, Chris Forrester.

Joanna joins The Telegraph with 18 years experience from the UK’s top agencies where she held strategy and operational management roles, as well as leading both client teams and new business projects. Most recently, she was Chief Content Officer at OMD EMEA .

Joanna said “The Telegraph is a brand with an amazing heritage and exciting future. I am delighted to take on this new role, clients are at the heart of The Telegraph’s commercial business and the creation of this role serves to highlight this importance. ”

As Digital Sales and Innovation Director Karen Eccles will lead digital commercial revenue growth and digital innovation, reporting into Dora Michail, MD of Digital.

Karen has over 20 years experience, across press, digital, radio and video and joins The Telegraph from DC Thompson companies, Shortlist Media & Beano Studios where she led transformation projects in digital and video. Before this, she spent 2.5 years as Commercial Director at leading video adtech company Innovid .

Karen said “I am excited to have joined the Telegraph, a brand with such a rich history, but digital innovation is vital to the future success of any business. It is therefore great to see The Telegraph positioning innovation with commercial partners at the forefront of their commercial business strategy. ”

Both appointments are part of The Telegraph’s ongoing commitment to lead change within the UK media industry. The company has successfully evolved into a multi-platform digital news brand that continues to deliver the highest-quality journalism. The Telegraph is also focused on diversifying into new revenue streams, including advertising, digital subscriptions, travel, financial services and events.