News International Commercial has appointed Abba Newbery to the newly-created position of creative solutions director adding a further vital piece to its top level following the restructure of News International’s commercial division under managing director Paul Hayes.

Newbery, a managing partner at Universal McCann, will join the company in February to oversee all sales and development that lie outside traditional display and classified areas, across all five NI power brands – The Sunday Times, The Times, The Sun, News of the World and The London Paper.  

She joins a team of directors appointed by Hayes since the restructure: Trading director Dominic Carter, business intelligence director Claire Myerscough, digital trading director Alex Hole, classified director David German and sales support director Patricia Kill.  

Hayes said of the appointment:  “Abba was the stand out candidate because, through her planning experience and knowledge, she has a deep understanding of clients’ real business needs and challenges. She will use our products to provide clients with business solutions that go beyond just creative selling.”

Newbery first joined Universal McCann in 2002 as planning director, before leaving in 2004 to join the Almond Partnership as head of planning. She re-joined Universal McCann in 2005 and became managing partner in 2007. Prior to her time at Universal McCann she was communications planning director at Carat.