Search on for senior marketer at 3

Third-generation mobile phone operator 3 is understood to be looking for a senior marketer to replace Julian Hough, who has been on secondment from the company’s advertising agency WCRS for the last two years.

Sources say it has always been the intention for Hough to return to the agency, and it is thought that former British Airways marketer Jill McDonald was approached for the role before she joined McDonald’s as chief marketing officer for Northern Europe last month.

3 is said to have “drawn a blank” since, and it is believed that Hough will stay with 3 until a suitable replacement is found.

It is not clear where the new appointment would sit in the company’s marketing structure, as it already has a marketing director, Graeme Oxby. Chief operating officer Gareth Jones, who was largely credited with turning around 3’s fortunes after a rocky start in the UK, left at the end of last year. Jones, who was effectively 3’s brand chief, has not been directly replaced.

It emerged in September last year that Hough, who moved to 3 in 2004 to head its marketing communications (MW May 27, 2004), was looking to return to WCRS (MW September 29). He headed the team that snatched 3’s &£38m advertising business from TBWALondon without a pitch in 2004.