Ex-Optus exec appointed COO of ninemsn

In a statement issued to ZDNet Australia on Tuesday, Australia's largest interactive media company said Spooner would take up his new position on August 28. Richard Ang, the ex-CIO, left ninemsn earlier this year.

Martin Hoffman, the outgoing chief executive of ninemsn, said that Spooner's experience will help the company move through a "vital growth period".

"Nick's extensive work driving technological and operational efficiencies will be vital as ninemsn moves through this vital growth period. His work in delivering world-class solutions will be a valuable contribution to the ninemsn leadership team," said Hoffman in the statement.

Accountabilities included managing a portfolio of over 60 IT systems, overseeing strategic accounts and relationships with IBM, HP and Accenture as well as leading a large team of IT professionals.

Spooner has been with Optus for six years and held positions within the telcos' Consumer & Multimedia, IT, and Network divisions. He was formerly the director of mobile products for Optus.

Before joining Optus, Spooner worked for IT consultancy Accenture and focussed on interactive TV, digital TV broadcasting, and interactive services.

A ninemsn spokesperson also confirmed on Tuesday that the company will not be appointing a new CIO: "There won't be a CIO role as such. The COO role will incorporate aspects of the CIO role".

Another loss for Optus
Spooner is not the only Optus executive to leave the telco and join the ranks of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL), which owns 50 percent of ninemsn.

Ticketing agency Ticketek, which is fully owned by PBL, announced on Tuesday that Scott Lorson has taken up the role of chief executive officer. For the past year, Lorson has been heading up Optus's small and medium business division. Previous to this he was marketing director of the telco's consumer and multimedia division.