Sharp will report to Effective Measure CEO Richard Webb and will be based in Sydney. At Allure Media, he oversaw a stable of consumer technology and women’s lifestyle sites including Gizmodo and PopSugar, which reach over 2 million Australians each month.

Prior to Allure, Sharp was one of the key executives at Yahoo! in its early days in Australasia. He worked in various roles, latterly as group sales manager, and left in 2007.

Webb said: “Ben brings significant digital publishing expertise and a broad set of relationships in the Australian media and advertising industries. As MD of Australia, Ben will apply his operational experience and strategic insight to grow the local team and expand market opportunities.”

In addition to Sharp’s appointment, Effective Measure’s regional MD for Oceania, Michael Robertson has been promoted to the global role of group director – media, based in Melbourne.