Vodafone beefs up marketing arm

Vodafone is bolstering its marketing team with the creation of two new executive positions, reporting to marketing director Michael Webb.

The high-profile executive positions will herald the creation of dedicated “pay as you talk” and “loyalty” marketing teams, based in Newbury.

The marketing executive given overall responsibility for Vodafone’s pre-payment scheme, pay as you talk, launched in November 1997, will oversee the business development of the product as well as the marketing and management of new and existing distribution channels, in conjunction with Vodafone Connect.

Pay as you talk is available in retail outlets including Argos, the New Look fashion chain and Woolworth’s. It is also on trial in 32 Somerfield supermarkets and in selected Texaco garages.

The marketing executive for loyalty will manage existing customer retention programmes, such as the Air Miles-based Advantage scheme, and take responsibility for new loyalty and discount initiatives and data analysis.