Marketing chief falls prey to Somerfield rejig

Supermarket chain Somerfield has parted company with associate marketing director Dominic Myers after further restructuring of its marketing department following the merger with Kwik Save.

As part of the restructure, Alan Shepherd, former marketing director for Kwik Save, becomes brand communications director responsible for the combined marketing for Kwik Save and Somerfield. He reports to group marketing director Phil Smith. Smith and Shepherd held similar roles at Kwik Save before the merger and had previously worked together at grocery manufacturer Kraft Jacobs Suchard.

Myers’ resignation comes in the middle of a review he has been overseeing for the chain’s 20m media buying business. Somerfield incumbent CIA Medianetwork is pitching against Universal McCann. It is thought Shepherd will assume responsibility for the pitch.

The shake-up comes four months after Somerfield’s last restructure in April (MW April 23), in which marketing director David Coles and Kwik Save managing director Derek Pretty were both ousted. Phil Smith was to become deputy chief executive, though the role was axed in the shake up and he was handed the marketing director’s role.