Crichton scoops top Compaq role

Compaq Computer has handed its top UK marketing role to enterprise business director Vesey Crichton.

Crichton, who is a former advisor to Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, has worked at Compaq for the past ten years.

He moves from being responsible for operating systems, servers, storage and workstations, to lead marketing at the company formed from the merger of Compaq and Digital.

Martin Brophy, previously marketing and communications director at Digital, is said to be “exploring possible alternative positions within Compaq”.

Compaq marketing services director William Knocker, who was tipped to get the marketing director post, continues in his role. He will oversee marketing services, including public relations, advertising, market research, direct mail, and sponsorship.

Before joining Compaq, Old Etonian Crichton spent 17 years as the director of an international educational charity where he worked with The Beatles’ spiritual advisor and founder of transcendental meditation.

His new responsibilities at Compaq will include marketing services, the UK call centre which advises small-to-medium-sized business customers, electronic commerce and brand management. Knocker will report to Crichton.

He will report directly to Compaq vice-president and managing director in the UK Joe McNally.

In June, Compaq moved its global advertising account out of Ammirati Puris Lintas and into the DDB Needham network – the agency of record for Digital.

The media planning account is also held by APL. Media buying is held by BMP Optimum in the UK.

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