Shopping.com in search for European marketing chief

Shopping.com, the US comparison shopping channel, is recruiting a European marketing director as part of its plans for rapid expansion in Europe.

Shopping.com – which used to be called Dealtime – launched its new brand in the UK at the end of 2004 and has plans to expand into France and Germany in 2005, with other countries to follow later. Unlike rival comparison shopping sites such as Kelkoo or Pricerunner, it will operate across borders, so UK consumers will be able to see prices and buy products from retailers in other countries.

According to Shopping.com European managing director Ehud Furman, the company is looking for candidates with a high level of experience in marketing an online brand, although it will consider someone with a retail background.

The position involves controlling all marketing communications, including public relations and advertising, and developing a marketing strategy to be implemented across Europe to build the brand.

Furman says that the budget will be “significant” but refuses to be drawn on spend or marketing strategies. Deciding how the money will be spent will be one of the first tasks for the new marketing director.

Shopping.com has a PR consultancy- Hotwire – but has no European creative agency or media agency of record.