Location-based media company JiWire has appointed Steve Ricketts as its European managing director.

Ricketts’ experience includes launching the first mobile advertising service in the UK from a  mobile operator whilst at Orange, as well as developing mobile payment and location-based services. Most recently, he has been working as a consultant specialising in mobile strategy, integration and execution, and has done voluntary work for UNICEF. 
In his new role, reporting to JiWire’s executive team in San Francisco, he will be responsible for growing the European operation, including developing new and existing strategic partnerships and building the team for Europe.

JiWire has expanded its UK business, enabling location-based advertising across both mobile applications and public wi-fi. JiWire’s Compass advertising platform helps brands engage with their customers by providing location-based information when they are near a store, such as product availability, real time in-stock information, and directions to any place where that advertiser’s products are sold. The company raised $20 million in Series C funding in May.

“We chose Steve as our new European MD because of his extensive experience in mobile and location-based advertising,” says JiWire CEO, Dave Courtney. “We are in a period of high growth, leveraging location to transform advertising and mobile as we know it today, therefore it is critical to bring on someone who knows the ecosystem intimately, and has the relationships to accelerate the growth of our UK business. A skilled commercial operator, Steve has worked in large and small companies, in publishing, retail and mobile, and has a strong understanding of the importance of mobile data, which is ultimately, the foundation of our business.”