Virgin Active marketing head quits

Virgin%20Active%20health%20clubMark Taylor, the top marketer at Virgin Active, has left the health and fitness chain after less than a year. It is not known if he has a job to go to.

It is understood that the chain is seeking a UK marketing manager to report to its managing director Peter Brennan. The role oversees Virgin Active’s national and regional marketing strategies, which have previously focused on digital advertising.

The health club chain launched its “Life Is More Fun When It Moves” campaign in September last year, which aimed to encourage consumers to get fit after the summer holidays.

It also partnered with Buxton water to attach a branded magazine to the side of its bottles. The magazine was produced in house and was distributed free in public places such as train stations during August last year. The company also has a partnership deal with Nike.

Virgin Active has nearly 120 health and fitness clubs in the UK, Italy, Spain and South Africa with more than 710,000 members. Its clubs offer fitness classes, personal training and swimming facilities, as well as health and beauty offerings, such as spa treatments and massages. The company, which is a subsidiary of the Virgin Group, is expanding in the UK and other parts of Europe.

In 2006, Virgin Active acquired Holmes Place, which consists of 47 clubs and a membership of 190,000.