Times Newspapers picks commercial head

Times Newspapers has appointed former ad director for News Group Mike Gordon to the new position of commercial director.

He will oversee the advertising department, as well as Times Group Digital and News International Enterprises. Times Group advertising director John Trickett will report to Gordon.

The job has been created to develop a more integrated approach for advertisers using a number of Times Newspapers platforms. Gordon will report to general manager Paul Hayes.

Gordon has held several advertising and sales positions within News International, at both Times Newspapers and sister company News Group Newspapers, which includes The Sun and News of the World. In 1998 he was promoted to head of business development for News Group, and in 1999 was made deputy advertisement director.

In April 2000 he joined Virtual Internet, an internet service provider, as a commercial director, where he then became a managing director.

The Times and Sunday Times have both overhauled their editorial product recently, with the Sunday Times launching its CD-ROM called The Month, and The Times revamping its Saturday edition.

The Sunday Times Style Magazine is publishing its biggest issue this weekend with a 124-page special, in partnership with London Fashion Week, containing advertising from luxury brands such as Dolce & Gabanna, Jimmy Choo and Versace.