Olins steps up to run the NMA

Rufus Olins, above, has been appointed as chief executive of the Newspaper Marketing Agency (NMA), the body that seeks to raise awareness of the value of newspapers to advertisers and agencies. Olins is an experienced media operator, having worked as a journalist, publisher and marketeer. I recall his period as deputy city editor at the Sunday Times. He was also editor of the magazine Management Today and spent 10 years at Haymarket Media, eventually becoming a main board member. Most recently he was responsible for relaunching WARC, the advertising and marketing information company, where he was chief executive from 2009 until summer last year. Olins takes over from Maureen Duffy, who was responsible for launching the NMA in 2003. Paul Hayes, the NMA's chairman, described Olins's appointment as "perfect" because he "totally understands newspapers and his passion for quality journalism shines through." He went on: "He's also a talented and well-connected business leader with deep understanding of research, insight and digital opportunities. He will be a compelling ambassador for the power of our medium as a commercial partner in the multi-platform world." Olins spoke of his new job being "a fascinating challenge", adding: "I am journalist who became a CEO and have always retained a love of good journalism and newspapers. "I know how to run publishing businesses and lead them into the multi-platform landscape. Now more than ever UK newspaper publishers need a strong confident voice representing them in the advertising world, and I intend to provide it." theguardian .