Capital Gold Network seeks new marketing chief

The Capital Gold Network, the classic hits stations owned by Capital Radio Group, is seeking a new top marketer following the departure of Jo Williams-Orme. Williams-Orme has left to join the games development division at National Lottery operator Camelot.

It is understood that Williams-Orme’s role will be overseen by managing director Lynn Long until a replacement is found.

Williams-Orme was appointed at the start of October last year to oversee a rejuvenation of the brand and raise its profile in areas such as Manchester and Birmingham. Her appointment reflected Capital Radio Group’s decision to build the Capital Gold Network, which has six stations across the UK, as a brand in its own right. The group is keen to develop the Gold brand as a network for music lovers, rather than older listeners. Williams-Orme decided against using the Capital Radio Group’s advertising agency, Delaney Lund Knox Warren, to reinforce this change in strategy and looked for a regional agency that would focus just on the network (MW December 19, 2002). The launch of the Manchester station was handled in house and the search for a dedicated agency was put on hold in February (MW February 13).

In September, Williams-Orme launched the Capital Gold Legends Awards, aimed at positioning the brand as a supporter of classic hits rather than music for the old.