BARCELONA, Spain – Online advertising industry veteran Richard Cottrell (pictured) has joined ad network ExoClick as global sales director. Cottrell will focus on expanding the company into mainstream and mobile realms along with Head of New Business Peter Rabensiefer.

Cottrell possesses more than a decade’s worth of experience with online advertising, including senior sales positions at international companies Softonic and Yahoo, where he managed a portfolio of mainstream clients. He also was instrumental in launching Private Media Group’s affiliate program in 2005.

“I am extremely pleased to join the ExoClick team and help lead the sales division forward in our continued quest for market growth,” Cottrell said. “I am committed to maximizing the effectiveness of all of our clients’ ad campaigns, ensuring they receive maximum exposure, conversion and the best possible [return on investment] for their ad spend.

“One of my key strategies is to drive the growth of our mainstream publishing and traffic business, with which we are making significant headway within the entertainment, lifestyle, motoring, dating, gaming, tech and online community sectors,” he continued. “I will also be expanding ExoClick’s market share in emerging markets and positioning ExoClick as the go-to ad network for mobile.”

Adult industry veteran Giles Hirst also joined ExoClick as marketing and communications manager. Hirst previously held senior marketing positions at Seriously Fresh Media — a mainstream content-distribution company for mobile devices — and adult content-distribution companies Cherry Media and Private Media Group. Hirst will manage all media relations, control the corporate and online image of the ExoClick brand, manage its social networks and provide the company’s sales division with strategic marketing support.

Two other new staff members will man the company’s new Quality Assurance Unit to check for fraudulent activity within advertiser campaigns and violation of the company’s guidelines are followed.

“2014 has seen ExoClick’s team almost double in size,” founder and Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Fonzé said. “Richard is a senior sales professional with a proven track record of driving significant revenues for international companies. Giles is a creative senior marketer with a wealth of adult and mainstream knowledge. Our customer service team is strengthened with the addition of the Quality Assurance Unit, ensuring our clients receive the best support possible.

“We are committed to growing ExoClick with a pool of talented individuals who can not only contribute to the expansion of ExoClick’s business, but also benefit our global network of advertisers and publishers.”