Hachette Loses Sales Head Amid Rumours Of Bust-Up
Tim Kirkman, Hachette Filipacchi’s recently installed head of sales, is to leave the company after only eight months amid rumours of a fall out with the company’s chairman, Kevin Hand.
Kirkman’s high-profile appointment in November last year saw him take responsibility for advertising sales across Hachette’s magazine portfolio, which includes Elle, Red and Sugar. However, he will now leave the firm to pursue other interests.
Hachette is believed to be in the process of searching for a replacement sales director, but has entrusted the overall running of its advertising department to commercial directors Cath Ware and Clare Dempster in the interim period.
Commenting on Kirkman’s surprise departure, Hachette chairman, Kevin Hand, issued a brief statement, saying: “I would like to thank Tim for his work with us over the eight months he has been here. A successor will be appointed shortly.”
During his time with Hachette, Kirkman was responsible for restructuring the company’s sales team, integrating the publisher’s promotions and sales teams. He also worked to encourage co-operation on projects rather than working separately (see Hachette Filipacchi Restructures Advertising Team).
Hachette is a major player in the women’s monthly magazine market, but could face increased competition over the next few months, with news that Condé Nast is launching a new glossy magazine featuring a mix of style, glamour and practical real-life stories to go head-to-head with Hachette’s Red magazine.
The title, entitled Easy Living, is expected to launch in the first half of 2005 delivering ‘useful and realistic’ solutions to improve modern women’s lives. Chris Hughes, former publishing director of the National Magazine Company’s Good Housekeeping, has been appointed as publisher of the new title (see Condé Nast Unveils Grown Up Women’s Title).
Hachette Filipacchi: www.hachette-filipacchi.com
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