Taboola appoints Chris Blight as UK Advertising Sales Director

Taboola has named Chris Blight as its new UK Advertising Sales Director following the recent launch of its advertiser-focused platform Realise.

Blight's appointment is part of Taboola's continued investment in its UK operation and follows the introduction of Realise, a platform designed to offer performance outcomes at scale, extending beyond traditional search and social channels. The role will see Blight overseeing the strategic sales of Realise in the UK market, as well as focusing on expanding Taboola's advertiser client base.

Blight joins Taboola with more than 15 years of experience in commercial and business development within the advertising technology sector. His previous roles include positions at AdColony and Anzu.io, both of which are advertising technology providers. Most recently, Blight was Director of Agency and Brand Demand at BidMachine, a mobile advertising exchange.

Taboola has expanded its UK team during the past several months, coinciding with the launch of Realise. Blight's appointment follows the company's recent hire of Julia Burton Brown, who was named UK Country Manager and is overseeing Taboola's shift towards a performance-centric strategy.

Team growth

Taboola's UK office has seen several new hires in 2024, reflecting an ongoing commitment to building out its local expertise to support its new product focus. The company reports that this expansion is a direct response to market demand for advertising solutions capable of delivering measurable outcomes beyond the more established platforms of search and social media.

"Chris Blight brings over 15 years' experience working in commercial and business development roles, including positions at advertising technology providers AdColony and Anzu.io. Most recently, he served as Director of Agency and Brand Demand at the mobile advertising exchange BidMachine."

In his new position, Blight will be responsible for leading the UK sales strategy for Realise, as well as helping to shape Taboola's approach to client acquisition and retention within the country. His appointment aligns with the company's efforts to address the needs of advertisers seeking higher performance and scale across their campaigns.

Focus on performance

Realise, Taboola's recently launched platform, has been positioned to offer UK advertisers an alternative to search and social advertising by concentrating on delivering targeted performance outcomes. As advertisers increasingly look for platforms that can provide both reach and accountability, Realise is intended to fill this demand within the UK advertising landscape.

Taboola has emphasised that the addition of senior hires such as Blight and Burton Brown is intended to bolster its ability to serve the needs of UK advertisers seeking effective performance-driven marketing solutions. According to the company, the UK team's growth is tied to rapidly evolving client expectations in digital advertising.

The company states that it remains committed to broadening its advertiser client base by leveraging both new technology and experienced hires, as demonstrated by the recruitment of Chris Blight and the recent expansion of its UK leadership team.