Pedigree head hands reins to Mars boss

Laurence Haselhurst is retiring from his role as international media manager for petfoods at Pedigree Masterfoods.

Haselhurst will be replaced by Angus McIntosh, media manager at Mars Confectionery. Haselhurst is also chairman of the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers’ TV Action Group.

Pedigree Masterfoods refused to comment on the moves.

The announcement comes amid a major restructure at Mars (MW, last week).

Mars is also understood to be on the verge of appointing former US marketing chief David Fish as president of confectionery across the new continental European business unit. His responsibilities will extend to the UK if, as expected, the UK market is also incorporated into the new European business unit. Prior to moving to the US, Fish was also responsible for marketing across Europe.

Pedigree Masterfoods president Dick Raper will become the European food and petcare president.

Pedigree Masterfoods has confirmed its £10m Whiskas account is to move from M&C Saatchi to AMV.BBDO. The company says it decided to align UK advertising for the catfood with Europe work, where business is handled by BBDO.

Pedigree is to compensate M&C with an account for “new business opportunities”, which it refuses to discuss.