Viacom Outdoor Boosts Management After CIE Contract Loss

Poster specialist Viacom Outdoor Ireland has announced a restructuring of its senior management team following its loss of the CIE contract last month.

The management reshuffle will see the poster firm boost its senior management to focus on growth, with Marie Lawlor appointed head of sales and Stewart Smyth as head of development. The company’s John Patchell will also be retained to work on special projects.

The company’s management team will continue to be led by joint managing directors Philip Brown, dealing with franchise and operations; and Colin Leahy in sales and marketing.

Commenting on the need for a management rethink, Tom Goddard, chief executive of Viacom Outdoor International said: “After 10 years outstanding performance it was always going to be a wrench to stand-down from the CIE contract, but we have a core team of experienced executives in place to manage our business in Ireland, and we have an aggressive growth plan developed by Philip and Colin.”

“Viacom Outdoor Ireland is a very important part of our European business. With the support of the international group, the strengthened local management team now has all the firepower it needs to move the business forward into its next phase of development.”

The CIE contract had been worth around €12 million, but was lost to rival Titan Outdoor Ireland at the beginning of the year (see Titan Scoops CIE Account From Hopeful Viacom Outdoor). The loss was a blow to Viacom Outdoor, which had previously expressed hope at retaining the contract, following the withdrawal of Maiden Outdoor from negotiations last year (see Viacom Hopeful For CIE Contract Following Maiden Withdrawal).

Viacom Outdoor: 020 7482 3000 www.viacom-outdoor.co.uk