Quantum hires md to head UK arm
Quantum New Media Services has hired Mark Girling, managing director of New PHD Compass, to head its UK operations.
Girling, who has worked at New PHD Compass since its launch in 1996, will join Quantum as managing director in the next few weeks.
He takes over from Paul Longhurst, who becomes chief executive, and is spearheading the agency’s expansion into Europe. Longhurst is 50 per cent owner. Media agency Booth Lockett Makin owns the other half.
Quantum specialises in planning and buying ad campaigns on the Internet and running interactive television (iTV) campaigns, and claims to be the fifth-largest on-line billing and planning company in the UK with billings of &£7m. Clients include Domino’s Pizza, Halifax and jmc.
Girling says: “I would not have left to work in another traditional media company. In this one, there’s an opportunity to grow into a substantial business.”
He adds that Quantum may drop the “new media” tag as its business becomes more mainstream. He says he is unfazed by reports of the bursting of the dot-com bubble, as this will have a positive effect.
“The dot-com bubble bursting is a help to us – the market will be focused on how clients use the Internet and what new media opportunities there are, such as iTV.”
