McCann’s £14m Gateway alert
McCann-Erickson has been put on review alert following the appointment of marketing chief Neil Stevens at computer giant Gateway. The business is worth about $20m (&£14.2m) above- and below-the-line in the UK.
Gateway Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) poached Stevens from Tiny Computers, where he was product and marketing director. He becomes Gateway director of marketing for the UK and Ireland.
Stevens was appointed to the post following the departure of Todd Huntley. He will report to vice-president UK and Ireland Paul Heath.
“I’m reviewing everything we do, although it’s too early to say the agency business is out for pitch,” says Stevens. “If McCann can demonstrate it can do the job, that’s fine, but it’s something we’re working through.”
Stevens says he wants to broaden the appeal of Gateway’s PCs beyond the typical specialist, technology-aware customers. He says software and hardware packages appealing to families are being considered.
In response to Stevens’ departure, Tiny Computers has appointed Colin Greene, managing director of Tiny Online, the company’s Internet service provider, to the role of marketing director.
Greene will also remain managing director of Tiny Online. He will report to Andrew Walwyn, managing director of Tiny Computers.
