Search specialist Kenshoo has hired Microsoft’s head of strategic accounts Karl Knights as new business director, in a move that reunites him with his former boss Chris Ward.
Ward (pictured) joined Kenshoo late last year as UK managing director, after 13 years at Microsoft, having helped shape the commercial arm of the firm’s consumer and online business and increased the sales team to more than 200 people.
Knights joins Kenshoo this week and heads a team responsible for building new business relationships with major advertisers and agencies.
With more than 13 years’ experience in digital marketing, Knights will bring deep industry insights and customer relationships to drive Kenshoo’s new business programme and extend the footprint of the organisation.
Currently five of the top 10 global retailers and eight of the top 10 global advertising networks are powered by Kenshoo. Since opening its London office in 2008, Kenshoo has expanded in the UK and across Europe and counts John Lewis, Havas, Latitude and Omnicom Media Group among its clients. The company works closely with advertisers and agencies to use its technology and tailor programmes to maximise results and drive sales.
Knights said: “With $15bn of annual online sales revenues running through its platform, Kenshoo is at the forefront of the industry and constantly innovating. I look forward to bringing my experience with Microsoft and Yahoo to the Kenshoo team in London in an effort to develop the customer base and support the future growth of the business.”
Ward said: “Karl’s wealth of experience and connections in the industry will be a huge asset for us. We are very ambitious about our plans for growth in the UK and Europe.”
