Group chief quits EMAP after rejig

EMAP Performance group marketing director Malcolm Cox is understood to have left the company without a job to go, and brands director Russell Jones is thought to be considering his future at the company, following a restructure of the radio division.

EMAP is understood to be making an official announcement about the restructure, which also includes a number of programming changes, particularly at its Northern stations, later this week. The review is thought to have been prompted by concerns over the performance of some stations and also over their marketing programmes.

Cox joined EMAP as head of marketing for Kiss FM in 1990 from Anglia TV, where he was business development director. He was promoted to marketing director of the entire Emap radio group in December 1996 and took over as group marketing director of EMAP Performance in 1999 following a restructure of the group’s interests (MW November 18, 1999).

Jones joined as youth brands director for EMAP Performance in May 2000 from vodka brand Smirnoff, where he was marketing manager. He was promoted to brand director two years later.

The restructure comes just months after the departure of EMAP Performance chief executive Tim Schoonmaker in January. He is rumoured to be talking to venture capitalists about making an acquisition in the radio market.