Karen Eccles
Karen Eccles is one of the UK media industry's most prominent commercial leaders, recognised for her work at the intersection of publisher technology, data strategy, and advertising revenue. She served as Chief Commercial Officer at Telegraph Media Group, where she was instrumental in building first-party data capabilities, advancing programmatic advertising, and developing subscription-led commercial models that helped the publisher navigate the post-third-party-cookie landscape. Her ability to translate complex AdTech developments into actionable commercial strategy for a premium publisher earned her wide respect across the industry. In late 2025, Eccles was announced as Managing Director of Sky Media UK & ROI, marking a significant move from print-digital publishing into one of the UK's largest broadcast and streaming advertising businesses. The appointment signals her standing as a top-tier commercial operator capable of leading at scale across converging TV and digital advertising environments. Her background spans senior commercial and digital roles across UK media, with deep expertise in programmatic advertising, audience data, identity solutions, and publisher technology. Beyond her operational roles, Eccles is an active voice in industry conversations around publisher sustainability, identity resolution, and the evolving advertiser-media owner relationship. She has spoken at industry events and contributed to debates on how quality journalism and premium content can be commercially supported in a fragmented, platform-disrupted digital ecosystem.
Last updated Jul 10, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Jul 13, 2026
- Years in industry
- 15 years
Bio
Karen Eccles is one of the UK media industry's most prominent commercial leaders, recognised for her work at the intersection of publisher technology, data strategy, and advertising revenue. She served as Chief Commercial Officer at Telegraph Media Group, where she was instrumental in building first-party data capabilities, advancing programmatic advertising, and developing subscription-led commercial models that helped the publisher navigate the post-third-party-cookie landscape. Her ability to translate complex AdTech developments into actionable commercial strategy for a premium publisher earned her wide respect across the industry. In late 2025, Eccles was announced as Managing Director of Sky Media UK & ROI, marking a significant move from print-digital publishing into one of the UK's largest broadcast and streaming advertising businesses. The appointment signals her standing as a top-tier commercial operator capable of leading at scale across converging TV and digital advertising environments. Her background spans senior commercial and digital roles across UK media, with deep expertise in programmatic advertising, audience data, identity solutions, and publisher technology. Beyond her operational roles, Eccles is an active voice in industry conversations around publisher sustainability, identity resolution, and the evolving advertiser-media owner relationship. She has spoken at industry events and contributed to debates on how quality journalism and premium content can be commercially supported in a fragmented, platform-disrupted digital ecosystem.
Career
Chief Commercial Officer
Telegraph Media Group · approx. 2021-2025
Senior Commercial/Digital Roles
Various UK Media · prior to 2021
Expertise & education
Expertise
Speaking topics
Recognition
Notable achievements
- Appointed Managing Director of Sky Media UK & ROI in late 2025, one of the UK's most significant AdTech and broadcast advertising leadership roles
- As CCO of Telegraph Media Group, led development of first-party data capabilities and programmatic advertising strategy during a critical period of industry transition away from third-party cookies
- Championed subscription-led commercial models at The Telegraph, helping the publisher build direct audience relationships and sustainable revenue streams