COI Appoints Ex-Saatchi Chairman As Chief Executive
Alan Bishop, former chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi International, has been appointed chief executive of the Central Office Of Communication (COI).
The post will see Bishop handle the Government’s advertising and marketing budget, which is estimated to run into £300 million annually. He will also be responsible for meeting objectives set by ministers and ensuring the organisation meets its annual targets.
Douglas Alexander, Cabinet Office Minister responsible for COI, commented: “I am delighted that COI’s important work will be taken forward by Alan Bishop. COI has a vital role in helping Government departments and agencies to communicate policies, which have an impact on everyone in the United Kingdom. Alan brings an excellent range of experience and skills and I look forward to working with him.”
Bishop began his advertising career at Bates in London in 1974, leaving to become a founding partner of start-up agency Milton, Sharam And Gottlieb in 1978. He moved from there in 1981 to Foote Cone And Belding before returning to Bates in 1983 and then to Saatch in 1985.
The Labour Government has often been criticised for its use of marketing, advertising and spin. However, the Government has consistently argued the importance of communicating with the electorate through advertising. Future campaigns from the COI are to include a new campaign warning of the dangers of Class A drug abuse, which is to be handled by PHD and Mother. Then in the New Year, a controversial series of posters in tube stations are being planned to advise commuters what to do in the event of a gas attack.
COI: 020 7928 2345 www.coi.gov.uk
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