Private Media appoints Isentia exec Russ Horell as CEO

Crikey and SmartCompany publisher Private Media has appointed Russ Horell as CEO, replacing outgoing boss Will Hayward.

Horell has worked in various commercial positions at media monitoring company Isentia over two decades. He was most recently Chief Revenue Officer.

“I have long admired Private Media’s commitment to independent, high-quality journalism and its ability to build loyal, engaged communities,” Horell was quoted as saying in a press release.

“The company has seen extraordinary growth recently, and I am excited to join such a talented team at this turning point.”

Private Media chair Eric Beecher described Horell as “a highly respected leader with a deep understanding of the media and information sectors.”

“Having managed large-scale operations across Asia for two decades, he brings a level of operational expertise and commercial acumen that is perfectly suited to our next stage of development.”

Last year Private Media moved into expansion mode with the acquisition of Pinstripe Media (which owns Startup Daily and Flying Solo) from David and Libby Koch.

Hayward, a frequent contributor to Mumbrella, has not disclosed his next move, beyond saying it would be something in media that is non-competitive with Private Media.