January 19, 2017 — Voice Media Group and its subsidiary V Digital Services today announced the appointment of former G/O Digital executive Martin McDonald to the new position of vice president of strategic sales and channel development.
McDonald, who will be based in Phoenix, comes to V Digital Services with significant experience in digital sales. He has spent the last five years at G/O Digital (formerly Gannett Local) building national and enterprise sales teams while working closely with the International Franchise Association and established brands like Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, AAMCO and Massage Envy.
“I am honored and thrilled to be joining the V Digital Services team,” said McDonald. “The ability to transform VDS to a next—level agency is really exciting and a tremendous opportunity that I simply couldn’t pass up.”
McDonald’s hire is the latest strategic move for Voice Media Group’s digital agency, whose rapid expansion continued recently with the opening of a new regional office in Seattle.
Now with offices in twelve major U.S. cities along with a number of international markets, V Digital Services employs a team of more than 55 analysts and account managers who specialize in helping small and large businesses achieve success in the digital space through expertise in organic SEO, paid media, social media management, web development and both programmatic and pay—per—click advertising.
Voice Media Group also owns and operates six iconic alternative weekly newspapers and websites across the country, including LA Weekly, Phoenix New Times, Denver Westword, Miami New Times, the Dallas Observer and the Houston Press. As a Premier Google Partner, V Digital Services combines the reach of those established newspaper properties with affordable, cutting—edge digital strategies for customers.
VMG chief executive officer Scott Tobias said the hiring of McDonald will bolster the company’s ongoing transition from print—based operations to a full—service digital agency. Over the past four years, VMG has undergone a corporate realignment in which it has aggressively built its digital advertising business while making targeted reductions in its print newspaper portfolio.
“Marty’s an incredibly seasoned and talented addition to the VDS team,” said Tobias, who said he expects McDonald to drive digital revenue through the use of advanced sales tools and training techniques while providing leadership as the company continues to integrate sales operations with account management and fulfillment.