Capital Radio names new commercial head

Capital Radio Group has promoted head of network sales Alison Finch to the new position of head of consumer connections. The role replaces that of commercial head of marketing, which has been scrapped.

Finch, who takes over the role imminently, will report to group commercial marketing director Gavin Miller. He now needs to appoint a strategic planning director to complete his team. The radio group is also seeking a replacement for Finch.

Miller says the newly created role aims to put marketing at the centre of the company’s commercial division and should bring sales and marketing closer together. Finch will be responsible for developing an integrated approach to commercial marketing and to clients.

Miller, who joined Capital just over a year ago, decided to create the role and scrap the head of marketing position earlier this year after he appointed Universal Studio Networks sponsorship director Marion Peppers, who decided not to take the job just weeks before she was due to start.

Last month, Capital restructured its commercial sales team as part of a move to focus its brand sales team on content. Brand sales director Mike Hope Milne is now overseeing a new content development arm as well as sponsorship and promotion. Sales director John McGeough is to handle all client-facing sales (MW July 22).