John Finlayson

Leading the commercial strategy for Yahoo DSP’s identity and media solutions across EMEA. The role involves building relationships with media agencies and senior clients at brands direct, ensuring Yahoo DSP's solutions are front of mind. Translating global product roadmaps into regional frameworks that land effectively with our agency and brand partners, while helping bring the latest partnerships

Created the commercial strategy for the vertical market sales teams, bridging the gap between Global and regional execution. I was responsible for helping scale the UK team, onboarding clients and agencies, designing GTM frameworks and scaling Spotify in EMEA. Delivered a step-change in EMEA revenue and launched headline activations, including launching the first Spotify Wrapped sponsorships and

Led the partnership function for a leading mobile 'Order & Pay' provider during a critical scaling phase.

Managed the complex technical intersection of Telcos and Payment gateways, establishing the frameworks for rapid UK brand adoption.

Worked across O2 Digitals teams helping to define strategy, planning and forecasting for variety of business units. Enabling use of O2 data to power BI systems, creating new opportunities to understand customers and drive marketing efficiency. Co-ordinating and leading product, development, strategy and sales teams through quarterly updates and close communication with the board.

Founder member of the UK’s most significant mobile-data joint venture between O2, EE and Vodafone. Leading the commercial strategy that turned first-party telco data into a market-leading, mobile first, digital offering.

Columbus Travel Media is one of the longest standing and most highly respected global travel content providers with a portfolio of consumer-facing websites, print media, B2B content creation, plus content and media rights licensing services.

AirAsia is one of the biggest low-cost airlines in the World, based in Malaysia it flies to over 20 countries.

Full responsibility for the launching of the first-ever long haul, low-cost route from London to Kuala Lumpur and beyond, launching the iconic AirAsia brand into the UK and across EMEA for the first time. Full P&L responsibility for £5m+ marketing budget. I developed and executed all E

Managed relationships with key media agencies and clients, developed and grew new revenue streams. Responsible for partner sales networks, including selection, management, reporting and ongoing support. Provided commercial product innovation, concepts and plans for marketing, SEO and Paid Search campaign management and reporting. Full P&L responsibility for marketing budgets and suppliers.

Management of client and senior agency sales, developed first cross media opportunities and relationships, launched Daily Mail sites and relaunched This is Money and This is London sites.

Issued Aug 2026

Issued Aug 2026

Issued Aug 2026 · Expires Aug 2027

Issued Aug 2026

Issued Aug 2026 · Expires Aug 2027

Issued Aug 2025