Digital British Invasion Continues as BBC.com Expands in Canada

BBC.com continues to build its digital presence in Canada, with word that it has appointed Reeshma Esmail as its new Vice President, Head of Digital Ad Sales for BBC.com and Lonelyplanet.com.

Esmail will report directly to Mark Gall, EVP, BBC North America Ad Sales, and work from the BBC Worldwide offices in Toronto.

She's responsible for establishing new advertiser and ad agency relationships, as the company drives its digital sales strategy in Canada, such as its recently-announced partnership with Facebook to deliver digital media content.

BBC's digital media sales for online and portable media have increased to more than eight per cent of its total sales, contributing to a 10 per cent rise in overall profits, for the 2011/2011 fiscal year.

Working with ad agencies across the country, BBC.com offers advertising and promotion opportunities across multiple platforms, with display media, mobile, iPad, iPhone and Android apps, and pre-roll assets.

BBC.com cites comScore ratings to show it's the country's 2^nd largest news site, with an audience of over 3.5 million uniques.

Globally, BBC.com's is ranked 1^st delivering over 65 million unique users. 

The BBC has just launched a global version of its iPlayer on-demand video service in international markets, delivering video on demand content over a 3G connection or download it for offline watching.

The service will initially be trialed in Europe before arriving in Australia, Canada and the U.S. later in the year.
More topic specific branded channels and HD services are planned for wide territorial roll-out, the BBC has announced.

And, as Mark Gall noted of the new hire, "We couldn't be more proud to announce that Reeshma is leading our BBC.com and Lonelyplanet.com ad sales in Canada. Her energy, experience and professionalism will serve our customers well."

For the last ten years, Esmail has been a major contributor to successful sales teams at the BBC, Adconion, Olive Media and Suite 66.

Esmail said, "I'm excited to lead BBC Digital ad sales, delivering Canada's 2^nd largest news site at 3.9 million uniques, as well the highest income and education news indices online."

(Source : www.mediacastermagazine.com via www.kimandrewelliott.com)