Vanessa Lyons joins ThinkNewsBrands as general manager
ThinkNewsBrands has appointed former AUB and Wilson Parking marketing chief, Vanessa Lyons, as its new general manager to help spearhead a new drive encouraging advertisers to support news media publications.
Lyons has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing, with senior roles including general manager of marketing and customer experience at Wilson Parking Australia, as well as group head of marketing for ASX-listed insurance organisation, AUB Group. Both roles saw Lyons recognised in the CMO50 of Australia’s most innovative and effective marketing leaders in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
She’s also held marketing and strategy roles with Telstra, Superpartners and Philips in A/NZ, plus Discover Financial Services in the US. Lyons is returning to the workforce after taking time out to beat cancer.
The role at ThinkNewsBrands is focused on shifting perceptions of the value news brands can offer marketers, both in print and digital forms and expand the organisation’s footprint. The job commences from this week and is based out of Melbourne.
Credit: VLyons ThinkNewsBrands debuted in February 2020 as the new-look name for NewsMediaWorks and counts media owners, Nine, News Corp Australia and Seven West Media’s West Australian newspapers, as shareholders. The operating unit sits under the Premium Content Alliance, which also includes Think TV and the recently launched ThinkPremiumDigital, and was formerly headed up by Peter Miller, who has since become head of strategy for the wider group.
“Having worked around the world throughout my career, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of independent, professionally produced news. Being able to deliver balanced and ethical information in a timely manner – and via the medium an audience chooses, as opposed to one chosen for them – is something I value greatly,” Lyon said.
“News media is Australia’s most trusted source of information and it plays a powerful and influential role in informing society. We are extremely fortunate to have a free press and it’s something worth protecting. My energy is focused on generating the recognition and revenue news brands deserve, and showing commercial organisations that news is a powerful option in any marketing toolkit.”
ThinkNewsBrands board chair, Chris Janz, highlighted Lyon’s marketing, leadership and business transformation experience as key reasons for her appointment.
“With her passion, tenacity and admirable marketing experience, Vanessa is the perfect candidate to advocate the benefits of advertising in news media channels. A proven leader and skilled collaborator, adept at business transformation, we couldn’t have found a better person to take the business forward,” he stated.
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