The new company has been established in anticipation of the telecoms giant closing its planned acquisition of Time Warner. The company is focused on creating an advertising business focused on transparency and brand safety in premium environments across screens.

As chief marketing officer, McDonald is responsible for the creation and implementation of the marketing strategy for the firm.

McDonald joins from advertising technology company PubMatic, prior to which he was president of digital at Time Inc.

He will report to Brian Lesser, who was announced as chief executive of the new business when it was unveiled in August 2017.

In a statement issued by the company, Lesser described McDonald as a “transformational leader” who would bring “invaluable experience in the media and advertising technology space”.