Theresa Smith is the new president of Olive Media, filling a role that has been vacant since Simon Jennings left in 2012.
Theresa Smith
Smith initially became co-general manager alongside Kristie Painting after Jennings’ departure, but has been sole GM since November when Painting left for Checkout 51.
“I’ve done a bit of a realignment and reorganization of the team within, so I think that in part has resulted in the position of president becoming more relevant again,” says Smith.
She wants Olive Media to look at its business under two umbrellas: one publisher- and brand-focused that will sell affiliated products like the Toronto Star‘s TheStar.com, and one product-focused on data and mobile media.
“It’s not necessarily new offerings, but is a new way for us to take them to market,” says Smith. “I felt strongly that we needed to adjust.”
The company, which is owned by Torstar and Square Victoria Digital Properties, sells ads for a number of high-profile websites, including NYTimes.com, TheSar.com, LaPress.ca, and AuFeminin.com.
Smith has worked there since 2007 and spent 16 years in media before that, working at Microsoft Canada and Canoe.
“[Theresa’s] proven leadership and strategic expertise have played a pivotal role in developing Olive from an early start-up to a leading player in the Canadian digital media space,” said John Cruickshank, chairman of Olive Media’s board of directors and Star Media Group president. We are delighted to have Theresa lead the organization forward and continue evolving Olive to meet market needs.”
