MediaCom TMB finalises top roles

MediaCom TMB has completed a number of senior appointments following the MediaCom merger with The Media Business Group (TMBG).

Paul Van Barthold, broadcast director of TMBG, will fill the new position of commercial director in the group which has combined billings of 333m.

Grey-owned MediaCom bought TMBG last November (MW November 19 1998).

The two companies will formally merge on February 1, and will be run by MediaCom’s Andy Troullides and TMBG’s Steve Allan.

MediaCom director Jane Ratcliffe will have overall responsibility for account handling at MediaCom TMB. Ratcliffe, a respected figure within the company, is widely tipped as its future managing director.

Mark Collins, currently TMBG’s director of TV buying, will keep this role in the new company. Ivan Clark, MediaCom’s director of digital and satellite TV, becomes the group’s overall director of TV strategy.

MediaCom’s director of research, Doug Read, retains the same role in the new company.

The imminent departure of Bill Jones, who was MediaCom’s deputy managing director as well as director of press, leaves TMBG’s Steve Goodman as the company’s most senior press executive.

It is unclear whether he will become director of press or if the company will look outside for a more senior figure.

MediaCom TMB’s major clients include Procter & Gamble, Mars, Direct Line, SmithKline Beecham, and Great Universal Stores.

The company, which employs 180 people, is preparing to set up shop in TMBG’s offices at the end of the month.