Whisper has appointed Chris Hatton to the role of strategic sales director.
Whisper described the hire as a “bold commercial expansion…designed to scale new revenue opportunities across international markets”.
Hatton joins Whisper with over 20 years of experience in commercial roles at companies including Apple, Google, YouTube, and Amazon.
Whisper said his appointment is a clear statement of intent as the company continues to diversify its global footprint and enhance its commercial model across AI and data technology, while also building further on sport, branded entertainment, gaming, and unscripted formats.
Mark Cole, Whisper chief growth officer, said: “Chris is a heavyweight hire who understands the intersection of premium entertainment and emerging technology better than anyone in the industry.
“As we accelerate our global expansion, his experience at the likes of Amazon, Apple and Google will be invaluable. Chris has a proven ability to find disruptive commercial paths and scale operations at pace; he is the perfect fit for our culture and will be instrumental in driving our commercial model for this next chapter.”
Reporting into the Senior Leadership Team, Hatton will be responsible for driving the company’s global sales strategy working with Whisper’s regional general managers and chief partnership officer.
He will partner with Whisper’s managing directors to unlock opportunities, leveraging the company’s industry-leading technology and insights capabilities to connect iconic brands with world-class storytelling.
Hatton previously led the establishment of Amazon Advertising’s global Gaming & Esports Sponsorships business, building it from the ground up into a full-fledged global operation. At YouTube, he served as Head of Global Strategic Partnerships for YouTube Spaces Studios, overseeing the strategy for 10 studios worldwide. He also served as Director of Entertainment, Strategy and Insights at LEGO, and most recently, as Chief Growth Officer at Fractional Consulting, where he specialised in preparing high-growth businesses for significant accelerated expansion and capital investment
Chris Hatton, strategic sales director, Whisper, added: “Whisper has built something genuinely extraordinary as a creative force that thinks and moves like a high-growth tech company.
“The biggest opportunities in our industry lie at the convergence of premium sport, entertainment, and emerging technology, and Whisper is already leading at that critical intersection. The ambition here is infectious and I can’t wait to help drive the next phase of growth.”
