Zoopla targets agency growth under new ex-Apple marketing boss

The ‘new broom’ owners of Zoopla have revealed that Gary Bramall is to be the firm’s new chief marketing officer charged with growing its activities still further.

His appointment is the latest evidence of a new and more aggressive approach by Zoopla following its £2.2 billion acquisition in July by Silver Lake Partners, a US private equity firm specialising in technology investments.

Bramall’s brief is “to drive marketing strategy, differentiation and growth” according to a statement from the company.

He has previously worked at Microsoft, Skype, Apple and Orange and was most recently chief marketing officer of mytaxi, where he led the rapid re-brand following the merger with British born taxi app Hallo, whilst overseeing international expansion into over 14 countries.

Zoopla - which says its websites and apps now attract over 50m visits per month - now includes consumer brands, PrimeLocation & SmartNewHomes, software brands Alto, Jupix & ExpertAgent and data businesses Hometrack & Calcasa.

Zoopla managing director Charlie Bryant says: “Gary will focus our strategy to excel at supporting consumers’ property choices and empowering estate agents to grow their businesses.”

Meanwhile Bramall himself adds: “This is an enormously exciting opportunity to work with a well-known and trusted household brand within an industry which is undergoing transformative change.

“Buying, selling or renting property are among the biggest decisions we make in our lives. To work with a data-rich tech led business which has huge potential to improve and add value to that process for both consumers and estate agents is a marketeer’s dream.

“I want people to understand why Zoopla provides an offering unlike anything out there and to be the destination of choice for consumers and agents.”

In recent weeks Zoopla founder Alex Chesterman stepped down as chief executive, although he remains a board member.

In addition, departures from the company as part of the restructuring by new owners include chief strategy officer Paul Whitehead, data services officer Mark Witherspoon, communications supremo Lawrence Hall, and chief technology officer Mike Blakemore.