Global affiliate marketing network CJ Affiliate by Conversant has moved to install Waleed Al-Atraqchi as company president, taking over from industry veteran Kerri Pollard.
The boardroom switch is effective immediately and sees Pollard moving into an advisory role at the firm she joined in 1999.
Al-Atraqchi, who most recently served as president at Nielsen-owned marketing optimisation software provider Affinnova, will be supported in his role by EVP of customer experience Lisa Riolo.
CJ Affiliate by Conversant’s new president has also held roles at marketing services provider Imagitas Corporation and ad-tech firm NativeX, along with a series of brand leadership positions.
Announcing the news, Al-Atraqchi said he was “extremely excited” to be joining CJ Affiliate – the network which experienced a rapid rise to prominence under the Commission Junction banner.
A new leader
Al-Atraqchi is moving over to the world of affiliate following an extremely productive stint at Affinnova, where he grew company revenue by an average of 33% over nine consecutive years.
CJ Affiliate by Conversant CEO John Giuliani admitted that finding a candidate worthy of stepping into Pollard’s shoes represented a “challenge”. With 16 years of experience in affiliate marketing, she made president in November 2007 following eight years spent as an account manager and VP of publisher development.
Giuliani claimed that despite the difficulties, Al-Atraqchi’s prior experience of leading teams and utilising customer data would ease the transition.
Al-Atrachqi himself added: “For more than 15 years, Kerri Pollard has been synonymous with CJ. Her vision and leadership have built one of the largest and most successful affiliate marketing companies in the world; a company fiercely committed to delivering value for its advertisers, publishers and partners.
“The opportunity that lies ahead for CJ is significant so the ability to lead this next chapter is a privilege and truly exciting.”
CJ Affiliate by Conversant remains under the ownership of what was formerly online ad specialist Value-click Inc. until its rebrand to Conversant last year.