Ex-Vodafone mobile sales chief John Galloway takes the helm at The Hyperfactory Australia – co-founder Geoffrey Handley heads to New York

Mobilestrategy execution and media company The Hyperfactory today announcedthe appointment of its new Australian chief John Galloway (pictured),formerly Vodafone’s head of national sales for mobile advertising.

Asgeneral manager, Galloway will take over the reins from Hyperfactoryco-founder Geoffrey Handley, who will relocate to New York in order tooversee the company’s US expansion.

Commenting on Galloway’s appointment, Geoffrey Handley said: “Australiais a strategic beachhead for The Hyperfactory’s global business andit’s vital that our operations here be lead by someone who has apassion for and technical understanding of the mobile space and theright leadership credentials. From the outset, I knew John was the guyto whom I should hand the reins.”

Handley added that one of The Hyperfactory’s key priorities for 2010/11was to build up its local mobile media planning and buying team – arole which will sit well with Galloway’s 20 plus years of experience inmedia sales, including senior management positions with companies suchas Vodafone Australia, MediaMe, News Limited, Fairfax Online (F2),Sensis and AAP.

“I am extremely excited to be part of The Hyperfactory. We are uniquein the Australian market as we are the only truly international mobilecompany, which means our clients can benefit from our internationalexperience and findings. This is a huge competitive advantage for us,”said Galloway.

Galloway sees 2010 to be the year that marketers and brands realizethat they cant afford to ignore mobile: “Mobile is the fastest growingmedia in Australia. There are over 300 million mobile Internet pageimpressions a month, growing at a rate of 100% year on year. No longeris it regarded as a nice to have component. It’s being seen as the gluethat hold digital strategies together,” said Galloway.

“We are now seeing the interest in mobile marketing and strategy reachpre- GFC levels with existing and prospective customers looking tosignificantly increase their mobile budgets,” added Galloway.

Galloway’s appointment comes as The Hyperfactory continues its rapidexpansion over the last 12 months. With a blue-chip client base ofleading brands including Coca-Cola, Kraft, L’Oreal, Disney, Blackberryand Vodafone, the company has carved an enviable position in the US,recently being named by Entrepreneur Magazine in its annual 100brilliant ideas list as one of the mobile market’s most importanttrailblazers, alongside companies such as FourSquare and BumpTechnologies. In July 2010, US publishing giant Meredith Media acquiredThe Hyperfactory for an undisclosed sum, after taking a 20% stake inthe company one year ago.