Five seeks marketing and strategy head

Five has brought in headhunters to look for a marketing and strategy chief.

Five has brought in headhunters to look for a marketing and strategy chief.

The channel had put off the search, which is a consequence of the move earlier this year of former strategy and marketing director David Pullan to EMAP, where he is worldwide managing director of FHM.

Marketing plans had already been agreed for Five for the rest of the year. Head of marketing Simon Downing was in place to execute them. Furthermore, new chief executive Jane Lighting, who had just come on board when Pullan handed in his notice, had wanted to assess the need for a direct replacement.

It is understood that the qualifications and experience of the candidates, who may be stronger in either marketing or strategy, will determine the final nature of the role. It is not known whether Downing will apply.

During his time at Five, Pullan rebranded the channel, introducing a clean and contemporary on-air look, to reflect the fact that it had grown up and moved away from the brash “football, films, fucking” image of its early years.

He also reviewed the agencies, appointing TBWA/London and Vizeum, and abandoned a media strategy that was linked to permanent poster holdings. Pullan was previously vice president of marketing and digital channels for MTV Networks in the UK and Ireland.