Timex brand manager nets top EMEA role
Timex watches has promoted European brand manager Sam Stephenson to its top marketing post for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Stephenson will take on responsibilities previously handled by European marketing director Alyson Green, whose role was scrapped after a company restructure. Green is understood to be going freelance (MW October 3).
As EMEA marketing manager, Stephenson will be responsible for the Timex, Reebok, Helix and Opex brands. He will report to European managing director Keith Agnew.
During his time as European brand manager, Stephenson oversaw the launch of the Timex Speed & Distance System, which claims to be the first sports watch to use GPS (global positioning system) satellite navigation to measure speed and distance covered.
Stephenson says: “Next year is going to be very important for us. A number of exciting innovations are currently in development.”
Timex is understood to have ended its 16-year relationship with Fallon Worldwide, its global creative agency. The watch manufacturer is expected to hold a pitch for its creative account at the end of this year.
Two years ago, Timex drafted in Hollywood film director Tim Burton to direct a TV commercial. The £8.28m campaign for its iControl range of watches targeted 18to 35-year-olds. The ads carried the strapline: “Ridiculously easy to use.”
