Phorm’s chief steps down
Phorm’s UK chief executive Hugo Drayton is stepping down just weeks after four board members left the behavioural targeting company due to differences over its future strategy.
Drayton, who was previously marketing and new media director at The Telegraph Group, is set to leave Phorm at the end of the year, according to reports.
Earlier this month, Phorm’s chairman Steven Heyer departed from the company along with three other board members over “differences as to the management and future direction of the company” (see Phorm chairman steps down).
The company has made a number of appointments as a result, including hiring Nan Richards, former president of Turner Broadcasting System Europe, as deputy chief executive.
A new role of UK managing director has been created for Nick Barnett, Phorm’s current UK commercial director, who will be responsible for the UK business and Phorm’s trials.
In addition, Andrew Croxson has been appointed as interim global chief financial officer, replacing Lynne Millar who resigned as UK chief financial officer.
The online ad company is currently trialing its controversial ad targeting system with BT and expects to start trials with Virgin Media and Carphone Warehouse’s TalkTalk (see Phorm Rolls Out Next BT Trial).
Phorm’s system, which tracks web habits in order to provide better targeted ads, came under fire following claims that it had previously been trialled by BT without the consent of users (see UK Government Considers Phorm “Lawful”).
Phorm: www.phorm.com