CARSALES has appointed former Publicis Groupe general manager of commercial, Sam Zadgan, as its new general manager of commercial partnerships.

Mr Zadgan will form part of the Carsales media leadership team with the aim of including the management of commercial partnership opportunities and innovation across the company’s portfolio.

Carsales said he will also build on existing supporting solutions to key industry challenges and work to enhance the business’s media and service offering.

Prior to Publicis, Mr Zadgan spent his 20 years in the media industry in commercial roles at agencies Densu Aegis Network, BBC Studios and Verizon Media.

Carsales commercial director of media (sales and customer solutions) Vanya Mariani, said in an article in Mumbrella that Mr Zadgan would be a “key contributor in the transformation of our media business.”

“As we start to shine a light on all the unique offerings available under the Carsales umbrella, Sam will lead our partnership conversation to ensure our core customers can leverage more than our audience size and attention,” she said.

Mr Zadgan said: “Carsales is a data and audience-rich business with a history of innovations in technology.

“Even with the strength of the company, its products and teams have demonstrated to date, it retains almost untapped potential as a digital disrupter.

“I look forward to building our partnerships and reinforcing and expanding the long-term relationships across the media ecosystem.

“My previous interactions as well as the reputation of Carsales as a great business with great people, was a strong attraction for me.

“From day one, I have experienced an entrepreneurial and natural, down to earth atmosphere, throughout the business which is energising to be a part of.

“I’m thrilled to be working with the Carsales media leadership team to innovate commercial opportunities and tackle the next phase of the Carsales media business.”

Carsales has also recently appointed Ms Mariani to her current position within its commercial team, and has named Davor Vilusic as commercial director of media (strategy, trading and ad operations).

Meanwhile, Publicis Groupe has appointed Robert Bempasciuto as managing director of production and content company Prodigious.

Mr Bempasciuto has more than 20 years of international branding and communications experience in Australia, Europe and Asia.

By Neil Dowling