Active International is expanding beyond London with the appointment of experienced, Manchester-based media professional Dave Newton as its first head of agency partnerships – North & Scotland.
Newton joins from 10 years at Future Plc where, also based in Manchester, he worked as business director. His media career spans more than 20 years and has included roles with leading media owners and media agencies, giving him a wealth of experience at agencies including Mediavest, PHD and Carat, where he specialised in managing relationships outside of London. He spent three years at the Guardian before joining TI Media, which became part of Future Plc in 2020. He is also joint chair of NABs, the national media and advertising charity, in the North.
The new role will see Newton remain based in Manchester, but covering a range of partnerships outside of London, as well as staying closely connected with the head office. Active International already works with a number of clients based outside of the capital, including Kopperberg, Jet2 and independent agency networks.
“Our decision to expand our presence outside of London, in Manchester and beyond, is driven by our belief of its strategic importance,” said Jane Putley, commercial partnerships director at Active International.
“Dave’s role will be pivotal in spearheading our initiatives in Manchester and beyond. With his deep understanding of the market, combined with his strategic vision, we believe this will enable us to tailor our services to meet the specific needs of our clients and agencies, along with driving innovative customer solutions and delivering exceptional value.”
Three in five advertising jobs are now based outside of London, according to the Advertising Association, while according to the ONS, the non-London economy is worth £1.94tn and Manchester’s economic output is set to grow more quickly than London’s by 2027 – at 2.2%, based on figures from EY.
Newton said: “The growth, aspiration and clear direction of Active International drew me to the role, but it was the warm and welcoming culture that sealed my decision. I was fortunate to be invited to a team awayday before joining, and I was instantly made to feel part of the company.
“Active International truly values growth outside of London and sees its vast potential, and I’m looking forward to being feet on the ground, drawing on my network and knowledge to strengthen ties and forge new relationships.”
Cameron Swan, managing director of Active International, added: “We’ve been looking to tap into the talent, growth and potential of the market outside of London for some time, and Dave was the perfect choice to allow us to do that. He understands the landscape of these thriving economic areas, has a holistic view of the industry and is ready to work hand-in-hand with big clients and agencies. Plus, he’s a good fit for us culturally, which was clear to see from the start.”
