Virgin Radio in sales arm rejig
Virgin Radio is to restructure its sales department following the appointment of Kathryn Jacob, former agency sales director at IPC Weeklies magazines group, as sales director and the subsequent resignation of sales controller John Quinn.
Jacob takes on a role left vacant since the promotion of John Pearson to managing director last year. Quinn, who was appointed when Pearson’s responsibilities changed, is understood to have quit as a result of the move.
Virgin is now restructuring its sales and commercial departments. Four sales managers will report to Jacob: existing sales manager Louise Webb and three new appointees.
Lee Roberts and Alex Ward have been promoted to the positions of sales managers from their respective roles as head of business development and senior sales executive.
Meanwhile, promotions executive Steve Taylor becomes head of promotions, replacing Dave Atkey who is to join Talk Radio UK.
“Virgin is a great brand. And radio is an exciting medium,” says Jacob, one-time sales group head at The Daily Telegraph. “Working in press you have to understand the strengths of TV and radio be-cause you are always pitching against them.”
Paul Heaney, Atlantic 252 sales manager, has been promoted to sales controller, following the appointment of commercial director Andy Hawkins to executive sales director for Granada/Sky Broadcasting (MW last week). Atlantic 252 station manager Paul Kavanagh is also leaving. He will be replaced by programme controller Henry Owens. Music manager Al Dunne will take over from Owens.
