JML strengthens DRTV and online marketplace senior teams
JML has made three new senior appointments within its direct response TV and online marketplace departments as part of plans to grow its international and UK sales.
The consumer goods brand and multichannel retailer has hired Sophie Smithers as head of direct sales and marketing. With 19 years’ experience in DRTV, Smithers most recently worked with The Craft Channel. She has also held senior management positions at Guthy Renker and Thane Direct.
Two further hirings have seen Mani Roberts appointed as broadcast compliance officer and Mitesh Patel as marketplace manager. Roberts has joined the business from Clearcast while Patel was previously at Exertis.
Ken Daly (pictured), chief executive of JML, said: “These new appointments illustrate the level of investment and focus that JML is putting into achieving its growth plans. We intend to double our sales over the next three years, and our DRTV and online marketplace operations will be a big part of this.”
The company said it has been making changes to make it more competitive in the DRTV sector. This has included rethinking the way it identifies products for direct sales and changing the way that it produces infomercials.
JML has also partnered with Los Angeles-based production house Scarpaci/Kelly as it seeks to optimise infomercials to its growing international consumer base.
Stephen McCreath, commercial director at JML, said: “Scarpaci/Kelly Productions have been producing award winning DRTV infomercials for over 20 years. It therefore felt natural that they would be our production house of choice. We’re also delighted to have Marc Gill presenting one of our forthcoming infomercials. Marc is without question one of the most globally-well-known faces in DRTV.”
Daly added: “As we seek to increase our global presence, our new infomercials will be essential in making our international distributors more successful. Our products are already sold in over 80 countries, and we also intend for this figure to keep growing.”
