Facebook has a new recruit, with Andrew Hunter taking on the newly created role of Facebook’s news partnerships lead for New Zealand and Australia.
Hunter will lead Facebook’s increasing collaboration with Australia and New Zealand’s media networks and help with the local rollout of products specifically designed for the publishing industry.
He joins from Microsoft where he was Microsoft’s market lead of information and content experiences.
Will Easton, managing director of Facebook Australia and New Zealand, says as Facebook’s role in Australia and New Zealand continues to evolve, it’s essential that it recruits the very best talent who will bring new ideas and insights to the current team.
“Andrew is our first News Partnerships Lead. He has a passion for storytelling and an expert understanding of the relationship between social and news networks. Facebook’s collaboration with media networks has continued to increase in recent years, and Andrew’s experience and vision will only enhance these relationships moving forward.”
Hunter adds that he is delighted to be joining Facebook in this role at a time when access to accurate, high-quality news is more important than ever.
“I look forward to partnering with news organisations across Australia and New Zealand so they can make the most of Facebook’s tools, features and distribution capabilities in support of great journalism and great journalism businesses.”
This appointment follows a number of senior hires for Facebook over the past six months, including Kaylie Smith (director of SMB Australia and New Zealand), Sophie Malloch (lead general counsel) and a number of Creative Shop appointments, including Andy Simpson (head of creative shop), Dan Walton and Karen O’Leary (creative strategists).
