Matt Hickman Promoted to Director of Digital Sales for Active Interest Titles

Matt Hickman has been named to the newly created position of director of digital sales for the Winter Park brands that make up the Active Interest Network. He is well-known within the company as a digital pioneer, one of the first to make the transition from the print side to the company’s new focus in the digital world.

In this new role, Hickman supports brand generation of digital revenue. Plans include building a dedicated corps of associates that will help the group’s sales teams more effectively sell integrated digital campaigns.

“We want to work with the brands and Digital Business Development to find the best products and strategies for our markets, and help to communicate the benefits of those products to our client base, both existing and potential,” said Hickman. “We will focus on the markets and advertiser groups with the top 20 percent of revenue potential to expand our digital growth, content solutions, strategic partnerships and integrated marketing programs.”

This is Hickman’s second stint with Bonnier. He joined the company in 2001 as managing editor of WaterSki. He quickly moved to editor of WakeBoarding the following year, returning to the sport where he competed professionally in 1997. He left to pursue outside interests in the sport in 2007 before returning to the company in 2009 as digital content director for the water sports division. He had been director of brand strategy since early last year.

“I come from a content background, and understand that Bonnier’s strength has always been our targeted content and our ability to engage with and influence a passionate audience. I want to extend that expertise to our clients and develop forward-thinking digital programs that are centered around compelling content that meets their needs as well as supports our brands’ missions. I look forward to working with the sales teams to focus in on their client needs to help grow our overall digital business.”