Blockbuster lays off commercial supremo

Blockbuster commercial vice-president Steve Foulser has left the company following a restructure that has made his position redundant.

Former Mothercare marketing director Foulser joined Blockbuster as marketing director in 2001. He left Mothercare after a strategic review in May 2000. He then worked at management consultancy The Foundation before joining Blockbuster.

The commercial department’s responsibilities have now been split between the marketing, product and distribution teams.

Foulser oversaw a number of initiatives, including the development of the “Trade-in” concept, which was backed with a television campaign this month, and the introduction of an online subscription service.

He also reviewed Blockbuster’s media planning and buying business, handing the account to Walker Media in 2002 after a pitch that included incumbent Booth Lockett Makin (MW March 7, 2002). Doner Cardwell Hawkins has remained as Blockbuster’s advertising agency during the whole of Foulser’s tenure. The agency was appointed as Blockbuster’s global agency in January 2000 (MW January 20, 2000).

Alistair Macrow will continue as Blockbuster marketing and planning director. He was promoted to the position from the role of commercial planning director in July last year. He replaced Sarah Baxter, who left last April after only seven months in the job (MW April 22, 2004).

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