Qantas Data Venture Red Planet Expands

In Australia, Director of Analytics Tristan Masters is leaving real-time ad spend data specialist Standard Media Index (SMI) to join Red Planet, the data division set up by national carrier Qantas last year.

Masters will take the role of Senior Manager of Professional Services at the new firm, which was spun off last year with a remit to use data from the company's 10.1m Frequent Flyer loyalty program members and other sources to create a targeted advertising and research offer for third party clients.

Masters spent three years at SMI, initially as Analytics Manager and then Director of Analytics, and has maintained a high profile for the organisation. He worked previously at Foxtel and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Red Planet has been expanding its senior team, recently recruiting Ben Gunn, Head of Business Development and Commercial Partnerships at Fairfax Media and Jeremy Neyman, Director of Programmatic and Strategic Partnerships at Nine Entertainment Co, according to www.adnews.com . Last month, a new Red Planet research panel was launched, comprising 100,000 consumers.

SMI Managing Director Jane Schulze told www.mumbrella.com.au 'We are obviously very sad to see Tristan go. He has been a huge part of SMI but we wish him the best future success at Qantas'.

Based in Mascot, New South Wales, the firm is online at www.redplanetgroup.com.au .