Harrods hit by marketing departure

Harrods’ marketing department has suffered another blow with the departure of advertising and marketing director Marie-Louise McLeod.

McLeod, who has been at Harrods for three years, is believed to have been unhappy about sharing her position with Rebecca Dillon, the former Revlon marketing director who joined last year (MW November 17 1995).

A Harrods spokesman says Dillon, who was originally appointed as a consultant, is responsible for advertising and sales, but now also takes over advertising and marketing. He declined to comment on why McLeod left.

Several senior marketing directors have left Harrods in the past year, including group marketing directors Nancy Prall and Trevor Bell, who resigned last May to become marketing director of retail group Facia.

Since Prall left last year (MW October 27 1995), Harrods has not filled its international marketing role. However, the group is now interviewing for the position.

McLeod, a former marketing director at Condé Nast, has a background in publishing. It is understood that her lack of retail experience could have influenced Harrods chairman Mohammed Al Fayed’s decision to drop her.

Harrods says Dillon will now decide the marketing department’s direction and whether she will hire additional personnel.