Experienced sales professional Richard Jobling has joined an Aycliffe Business sister magazine as publication bosses aim to grow its client base and products in 2022.
Ambitious publishers, Resolution Media and Publishing, have appointed Richard as dedicated full-time sales manager for Wear Business, which launched in early 2020.
Despite launching just before the Covid outbreak, the team behind Wear Business have issued seven issues over the last two years.
They’re now hoping the appointment of Richard – who is vastly experienced in print and digital sales – will enable Wear Business to build on its reputation.
Resolution is already behind the successful Tees Business magazine, and is owned by Aycliffe Business editor Martin Walker along with his business partner Dave Allan.
Resolution non-executive director Bob Cuffe MBE, former regional managing director of Reach plc, said: “We’re delighted with the appointment of Richard, who brings with him a wealth of sales experience, particularly in the media sector.
“We firmly believe in printed publications, while we also aim to increase our digital presence and create more online packages for clients.
“We’re passionate about promoting the business communities of the Sunderland and County Durham regions and we strongly believe Wear Business will firmly establish itself as the voice of business in the region.”
Regarding his new role as sales manager for Wear Business, Richard – pictured above (right) with Bob Cuffe (left) and Wear Business directors Martin Walker and Dave Allan – says he views the opportunity as a perfect match for his previous roles involving magazines and digital marketing.
He said: “I was born in Easington and spent the early part of my life in Houghton-le-Spring. Growing up in Northumberland and for the past 12 years living in Chester-le-Street, I have a great appreciation for the North-East.
“And I believe Wear Business is exactly what the business community in the Sunderland and Durham area needs right now.
“The place is on the up and Wear Business provides a unique and dedicated platform to shout out loud not only for the region but for the businesses and organizations that form the foundation of a thriving community.
“Working with companies of all sizes and with the region’s local authorities and institutions, my immediate focus is to raise awareness of Wear Business – both its quarterly magazine and digital platform.
“I’ll also aim to highlight how a dedicated Wear Business publication can play its part in delivering the confident and aspiring message that is being generated by businesses throughout Sunderland, Durham and surrounding towns.”
After graduating from university with a degree in English Literature, the early part of Richard’s career centered around the hotel sector. Working firstly for Forte Hotels and subsequently Bass Hotels & Resorts, the business development role saw him representing global hotel brands Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Intercontinental, introducing SMEs and blue-chip organisations to the accommodation and meetings offer, both in the UK and internationally.
After several years working out of the London head office and travelling extensively throughout the UK to meet clients and hotel partners, Richard took off in a completely different direction.
Moving to Spain with his partner Helen to initially open a tapas restaurant in Play d’Albir, two years later he started his own magazine publishing business, eventually employing 10 people and producing five monthly lifestyle magazines focused on the expat market.
With the birth of their son, Max, and a decision to return to the UK, Richard entered the world of local media, taking a position in digital sales with Newsquest.
As digital sales manager for The Northern Echo, Richard worked with businesses throughout the North-East to provide highly targeted advertising campaigns involving online display, social media and content marketing.
In 2017, a move to independent news publisher CN Croup in Carlisle saw Richard form part of the digital development team, designing and launching new commercial digital products for the 50-plus Cumbria sales team.
After Newsquest acquired the group in 2018, Richard’s role as digital transformation manager focused on helping to integrate the Newsquest digital platform and product portfolio into CN Group.
More recently, Richard has worked as head of digital at Kingfisher Media, publisher of UK visitor guides, where for the past two years he has led on the development of the company’s website and the introduction of a range of digital marketing products specifically designed for the hospitality sector.
• Wear Business are now working on the first issue of 2022.
Thousands of copies will be mailed and delivered to businesses across the Sunderland and County Durham areas from late February.
The booking deadline for issue #8 is 5pm on Friday, February 4.
To book space, call Richard on 0191 563 4208, or email [email protected].