Platform-A Names Top Sales Guy as Armstrong Takes Reins at AOL

On the heels of Tim Armstrong officially assuming the helm at AOL, the company’s Platform-A ad network announced another staffing change: Mark Ellis, former SVP of vertical and product sales, is now executive VP of sales.

Ellis’ role will be to expand Platform-A’s digital ad sales, bolster its sales force and “fully leverage” the company’s reach and technologies, according to an announcement. Ellis, who has been with AOL for five years, will work in the company’s New York office.

In a statement, Ellis described his appointment as part of “a new day at AOL and at Platform-A.” Indeed, with Armstrong now the company’s CEO, there is plenty of talk going on about rebirth in the company. A former Google SVP, Armstrong was hired in March to replace Randy Falco as Chairman and CEO of AOL.

In a memo to AOL staff obtained by AllThingsD, Armstrong said AOL has a promising future and he spelled out some goals for his first 100 days on the job.

“Over the next 100 days, I’ll be running a process to hear from all of you and many of the important partners connected to AOL,” wrote Amstrong. “We’ll sit together in our offices around the world and have open forums about what we’re building for the future and what we’re accomplishing today.”

The new CEO said there will be an “All-Hands meeting” in mid-July, when the first 100 days are over, at which company executives will review internal and external suggestions and discuss a strategic direction for AOL. “Most importantly, we will set a course and focus all of our resources to make that course a success,” wrote Anderson, who said he planned to visit all the company’s offices around the world prior to the July meeting.