Kirchner lands top Mirror role

The Mirror Group has made Charles Kirchner its marketing director designate, after the resignation of promotions manager Sharon Douglas.

Kirchner will retain his present title, brand development director, for the moment.

“He was in charge of brands and now is also in charge of promotions,” says Mirror Group spokesman Nick Fulligar. “And brands and promotions together make marketing. His job title will change at some future point.”

Kirchner, former marketing director of Rothmans and managing director of sports shoe firm Hi- Tec, joined Mirror Group in November.

The Independent and Independent on Sunday fall under his marketing remit, as do the Daily and Sunday Mirror.

Kirchner is known to have a major promotion planned for one of the Mirror Group’s national newspapers this month. Mirror Group is joining what Telegraph group managing director Stephen Grabiner has described as the “promotions” war in the national press, which has replaced the cover price war.

Douglas is working out a notice period and is reporting to Kirchner. She is leaving the company to pursue interests outside the newspaper industry.

The marketing department of the Mirror Group has undergone a revamp since Amanda Platell was promoted to managing director of The Independent and IoS. Phil Boden was recruited from sponsorship consultancy Carnagie Robertson & Black in January (MW December 15 1995) to handle promotions for the Independent titles.