TfL to appoint group marketing director in run-up to Tube merger
Transport for London (TfL) has created the position of director of group marketing, ahead of the organisation’s merger with London Underground.
The director of group marketing “will play a key role in the strategic development of the organisation”. As yet, there is no news of potential appointees.
TfL and London Underground are to merge by April next year and a number of senior executive positions have been created in readiness for the reorganisation.
The group marketing directorship, which TfL aims to fill by the end of January, carries with it overall responsibility for TfL’s marketing and agency relationships.
These have recently been handled by director of fares and ticketing Charles Monheim, who was given the temporary role of director of customer relations in July (MW July 18).
The director of group marketing will report to managing director of finance and planning Jay Walder. Interim manager for marketing, communications and corporate design Catherine Lacey-Dodd has had her contract extended and will report to the director of group marketing.
After a controversial pitch last year, TfL appointed M&C Saatchi to its corporate account and TBWA/London to the congestion charge account (MW October 18, 2001). The congestion charge is likely to be introduced on February 17 and TfL has already begun an education campaign within London.
TfL has run into criticism for producing advertising suggesting that motorists can pay the &£5 daily charge in advance at Post Offices and certain retail outlets. TfL says it has not yet reached an agreement with the Post Office to handle payments, but has signed up with several thousand retail outlets nationwide.
