Very Media Group is strenthening its senior leadership team with the appointment of a new head of retail media as the online shopping giant steps up its activity to woo top advertisers to its platform.
The platform, which is operated by the Very Group, has handed the role to Paul Stafford, who played an integral role in launching Superdrug’s retail media network, Optimo.
Bringing over 18 years of experience across both brand and digital marketing and retail media, Stafford will be the driving force behind Very Media Group’s next stage of growth.
In his role, he will be responsible for shaping the retail media network’s long-term strategy, while enhancing pre-existing relationships with brands and establishing new strategic partnerships which align with Very Media Group’s ambition of being the multi-category retail media network of choice for brands.
Very Media Group, which launched in partnership with SMG in 2024, is a reimagining of The Very Group’s pre-existing retail media proposition. It brings together the online retailer’s in-house creative capabilities and combination of personal, shopping and financial data to create insights-led campaigns for some of the biggest household brands.
Very Group chief customer officer Jessica Myers said: “We’ve been operating the retail media space for over 12 years, so we’re building on strong foundations.
“Paul’s appointment comes at an exciting time. Not only will he bolster our senior leadership team to take Very Media Group to new heights, but he’ll be working closely with our team to offer brand partners even more success in their campaigns through our new enhanced first party data solution, Very iD.
“I can’t wait to see how Paul’s experience and strategic thinking, combined with this new offering, will help us achieve our ambition.”
Stafford added: “Very’s bold marketing activity, and purpose of helping families get more out of life really stood out to me. It’s a challenger brand that’s embracing retail media and has a data first approach to customer success.
“It has a long history in the space and I’m looking forward to working with the in-house team and SMG to take Very Media Group from strength to strength.”
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