CBS Outdoor Takes Bouchez From Titan
CBS Outdoor has hired Helena Bouchez to the newly created role of commercial director to manage its London rail portfolio.
Bouchez, who takes up the new position in June, will be tasked with developing and implementing growth and operational strategies for CBS Outdoor’s London rail business.
This will include managing the contracts with London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Transys, CGL Rail, Victoria Coach Station and Croydon Tramlink. Working closely with the key stakeholders, Bouchez is tasked with driving new product innovation and services with both franchise partners and advertising customers.
Reporting in to Andrew Oldham, chief operating officer, Bouchez will be part of the UK Operating Board. Commercial manager Neil Skelton and head of delivery Gavin Brice will report in to Bouchez, giving her full responsibility for end to end commercial and service delivery for London Rail. Mark Pettler, international operations director, will remain in charge of the £72 million transformation programme for the London Underground which will see the upgrade of 31,000 traditional formats and introduction of 2,000 digital sites (see Viacom Clinches Tube Contract).
Bouchez joins from Titan Outdoor where she spent 12 years as development director. Appointed to the Titan board in 2002, Bouchez had overall responsibility for the growth and security of the Roadside and Retail sectors in the UK. Prior to working at Titan, she also worked in the Outdoor industry for Mills & Allen and More O’Ferrall.
“Helena has a fantastic track record in the Outdoor industry,” said Andrew Oldham, COO CBS Outdoor. “She’ll be instrumental in developing our London rail business and further strengthening our position as the market leader for reaching consumers on the move in London.”
Bouchez added: “I am very excited about this new position. The London Underground contract, which forms a major part of the responsibilities, is the largest single Outdoor advertising concession in the world and I look forward to being part of a team that leads it to even greater success.”
Last week, Titan Outdoor lost another employee to CBS Outdoor, with the appointment of Anthony Waithe as head of research. Waithe will report to Steve Cox, CBS Outdoor’s strategic planning director, and will lead a four-strong research team to deliver detailed audience research to support the sales division (see Titan Head Of Research Jumps Ship To CBS Outdoor).
In January, CBS Outdoor won £13.5 million worth of business from Titan Outdoor following a series of advertising contract wins, including a five-year contract with train operating company Northern Rail.
CBS Outdoor, which was recently rebranded from Viacom Outdoor (see Viacom Outdoor To Rebrand In New Year), will now market and manage advertising sites at all 472 stations operated by Northern Rail, which include stations within major cities such as Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester.
In the UK, CBS Outdoor sells advertising on buses, trams, and national rail media and the London Underground. Last June, the company said that the renewal of the contract would ignite a digital revolution in Outdoor advertising (see Viacom Tube Contract To Lead Digital Ad Revolution).
CBS Outdoor: www.cbsoutdoor.co.uk