Placements.io Taps New GM of Retail Media from Western Union, GAP, eBay, and Sony

Mark Donahue Joins to Lead Next Phase of Growth for Placements.io Retail Media Customers

Placements.io, the leading advertising operations platform, announced the appointment of 20-year advertising vet, Mark Donahue, as General Manager of Retail Media. Donahue, who brings deep retailer and advertising experience from Western Union, GAP, eBay, and Sony, will lead the company’s growing retail media business and drive innovation and expansion of the AdSalesOS solution capabilities. Industry professionals and members of the press are invited to meet with Donahue at ShopTalk205, taking place in Las Vegas on Mar. 25-27.

Most recently, Donahue served as Head of Media Network at Western Union, where he led the expansion of digital media and commerce initiatives. Previously, Donahue held senior leadership roles at GAP, eBay, and Sony where he was responsible for scaling e-commerce operations and developing innovative digital media strategies.

Donahue’s appointment comes as retail media continues to transform the advertising industry. According to eMarketer, retail media ad spend is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2026, as brands increasingly shift budgets to platforms that enable them to engage consumers at the point of purchase. Placements.io’s AdSalesOS platform allows retailers to manage, optimize, and scale their advertising operations more efficiently—now with Donahue’s leadership set to accelerate that momentum.

Marketing Technology News: MarTech Interview with Adam Brotman, Co-Founder and Co-Ceo @ Forum3

“Retail media is changing everything about how brands reach consumers—at the right place, at the right time, with the right message,” said Donahue. “Placements.io is already at the forefront of this shift, and I’m excited to lead the next phase of growth as we empower retailers to unlock the full potential of their media networks.”

In the role, Donahue will be working with retailers and advertisers to deploy best practices in revenue operations across in-store, e-commerce, and customer media channels. His background in multimedia revenue operations, data partnerships, and customer success will be critical to shaping the next wave of solutions in retail media.

“Mark’s deep understanding of both the advertising and retail landscapes makes him the ideal leader to drive our retail media business forward,” said Edwin Fu, CEO at Placements.io. “As retail media networks become a critical growth driver for retailers and other online advertisers, Mark’s expertise will help our customers maximize value and scale their advertising operations more effectively.”

Marketing Technology News: Drip Marketing: What it is – A Complete Breakdown

Most recently, Donahue launched the Western Union Media Network, a global media portfolio for brand advertisers utilizing digital out-of-home, in-store, email, loyalty, affiliate, onsite, and offsite media.

A lifelong New Yorker, he is a member of the IAB Retail Media Committee, the CMO Council, the Ascendant Network, and the Hamilton College NYTech group. A graduate of Hamilton College and New York University Stern School of Business.

As far as what to expect from Placements.io in the retail media industry for 2025, Donahue says, “We’re focused on helping retailers unlock new revenue streams by making RMNs more intelligent and efficient. Our platform is uniquely positioned to help retailers monetize both online and in-store advertising, creating a truly omnichannel experience. We’re doubling down on innovation, streamlining the ad sales process, and giving retailers the tools they need to deliver more targeted and measurable campaigns —all while improving operational efficiency.”