Phill Jones (pictured on left) will be responsible for all aspects of the commercial growth strategy for motors.co.uk, as well as two sister brands within the Motors Digital stable - AutoExposure and Complete Automotive Solutions - with a key focus on increasing revenue streams.
In his former role as Business Development Manager for Associated Northcliffe Digital, Phill was responsible for evaluating and managing acquisition and partnership opportunities in online consumer markets (UK and international) across the organisation’s motors, property, jobs and mobile channels.
The motors.co.uk network had 1.2 million unique visitors in October 2010 and currently offers approximately 150,000 new and used for sale from private sellers and car dealers. A number of strategic alliances between motors.co.uk and regional media groups Northcliffe Media, Iliffe Media, Berkshire Media Group, Baylis Media and Midland News Association have facilitated rapid growth over the past 4 years.
As part of the partnerships, the media titles now feature motors.co.uk’s used car search on their local websites with the motors.co.uk branding is featured in more than 153 local newspaper titles and 180 websites, which are accessed by 4.2 million unique users and a combined readership of 7.2 million people.
This continued growth also reflects well on the new website and brand icon Motor Sensei both launched last year with motors.co.uk taking the lead on UK mobile car search technology, launching apps for iPhone, Android and iPad devices.
Garry Hobson (pictured on right, holding iPad), CEO at motors.co.uk, said: “We are delighted to welcome someone of Phill’s calibre onto the motors.co.uk team. We have big plans for the brand and this appointment is just part of our ambition to build on our position as a key media platform for dealers and car buyers alike.
“We are making a number of investments around the company to make the marketing process simpler and more cost effective for dealers. Our job is to unite car buyers and dealers, and it is one that we are fully armed and poised to deliver.”
Motors.co.uk’s new Commercial Director Phill Jones said: “2010 has been a fantastic year for motors.co.uk with the launch of several new products designed to make searching for a car even more accessible. We have stayed on top of technological developments, becoming one of the first used car websites to launch mobile apps for all key platforms to make the car-buying process even easier and more convenient for consumers.
“We’ve got some very exciting things planned for the year ahead. That said we will remain flexible enough to anticipate and respond to our dealer and consumer needs, increasing the relevancy of our products in this quickly evolving market. We look forward to sharing the journey with our growing customer base.”
