Guidebook and digital media publisher Lonely Planet has appointed its global marketing director Dominic Rowell as managing director of digital.

Rowell takes over the new responsibility from Kelly Brough, who resigned as global online director last month.

He will report to chief executive Matt Goldbert and will operate from Melbourne, where the BBC Worldwide-owned company's head office is located.

Goldberg complimented Dominic and his digital marketing team for being instrumental in driving traffic to lonelyplanet.com, growing and commercialising its e-mail database and in helping the travel site connect travellers to Lonely Planet's wireless products in new and creative ways.

Lonely Planet released its first iPad app "1000 Ultimate Experiences" in April 2010, as well as its eBooks series Discover in August 2010. So far, more than five million Lonely Planet iPhone apps have been downloaded.

Rowell joined the company from mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse in September 2008.