Times Newspapers Restructures Commercial Division
Times Newspapers has restructured its commercial division with a number of internal appointments designed to strengthen its sales capabilities.
The shake-up will see Matthew Watkins promoted to the role of advertisement sales director, with responsibility for the Times and the Sunday Times. He will report directly to commercial director, Mike Gordon.
The role of Times Online digital director, Annelies Van den Belt, has been expanded to include specific responsibility for developing an on and off-line strategy across both digital and classified platforms. She will retain her current duties as manager of Times Online.
TNXL director Claire Myerscough takes on the newly created position of development director, incorporating all business development, sponsorship and TNXL propositions. Pam Hossian continues in her role as head of News International Enterprise with responsibility for data and affinity business.
Commenting on the initiative, managing director of Times Newspapers, Paul Hayes, said: “We have endured three difficult trading years but with detectable signs of an advertising recovery emerging we feel that these changes will ensure that we can continue to offer our clients the most competitive, flexible and creative commercial solutions.”
He added: “Mike Gordon is leading one of the best commercial teams in the business. I am delighted that we have such strong management to take TNL forward as we continue to set the pace.”
Earlier this month Belinda Furneaux-Harris stepped down from her role as marketing director at the Sun and the News of the World just nine months after taking up the job. She remains employed by News Group, but her responsibilities have been passed to general manager, Richard Webb, after she had a disagreement with bosses over the marketing strategy for the papers (see Mirror Denies Watson Will Defect To Rival News Group).
The latest ABC results show that the Times is reaping the benefits of its compact incarnation with circulation rising by 0.4% month on month during March to 658,637. The paper also looks set to benefit from an exclusive distribution deal with Starbucks to sell its tabloid edition in over 300 of the coffee company’s stores around the country (see Times Secures Distribution Deal With Starbucks).
The Times: 020 7782 5000 www.timesonline.co.uk
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