The National Business Review has appointed a chief executive with a successful track record in subscription businesses, following an international search to fill the role.
Tim Martin, who most recently founded and led online rugby network RugbyPass before its US$40 million sale to Sky TV in 2019, becomes NBR’s CEO from August 22.
Martin’s track record includes establishing and growing RugbyPass, and before that the founding of Coliseum Sports Media, which notably shook up sports broadcasting in New Zealand when it outbid Sky for the rights to show English Premier League football via a dedicated pay-per-view online platform, PremierLeaguePass.
Previously, Martin worked in advertising in Auckland, Singapore and London.
“A lot of mahi over recent years has led us to this point,” said NBR publisher Todd Scott, who owns the publication alongside wife and CFO Jackie Scott. “After a thorough international search for the best person for the role, Jackie and I are excited and 100% confident in our appointment of Tim Martin.
“Tim’s successful track record in a subscriber business and his focus on customer experience fits well with the NBR’s focus on delivering real value to the people that matter, our member subscribers.”
Martin said he was looking forward to be joining NBR.
“As New Zealand's foremost business news publication, we're committed to keeping readers informed and getting to the nub of the issues that impact the business environment,” he said. “Good decisions come from good intel and we’ll continue to play our part in providing that.”
“It hasn’t been an easy time for most of us out there in the business community and headwinds remain. We’ll be doing our best to ensure NBR readers have the best local business knowledge, analysis, and opinion to help you navigate the waters ahead.”
Martin’s appointment comes a few months after NBR launched its new website, offering a modern design and new elements to give a better user experience for its member subscribers. It also allows the team to better highlight breaking stories and in-depth features.
The new platform, designed by Auckland-based web developer Nero Motion, set the foundation for a better mobile experience, with an app now available to download as well.
