O2 exploits iPhone opportunities
O2 is seeking a marketer to oversee Apple’s iPhone as part of an expansion of its marketing team.
The mobile operator has resumed its search for a head of own-brand marketing that began last year (MW March 8, 2007) but has been on hold in recent months.
As well as spearheading the launch of a range of own-brand mobile phones and other devices, the successful candidate will “co-ordinate iPhone’s management throughout the marketing team”. O2 won the hotly contested battle for exclusive UK distribution rights to the iPhone last year. The head of own-brand marketing will report to marketing director Sally Cowdry.
O2 is also seeking a head of retentions, a strategy manager for marketing and a head of broadband acquisitions. The head of retentions will run what O2 describes as a “small team and a big budget” and focus on minimising the number of disconnections from the network.
The strategy manager for marketing will “define the strategic agenda and evolve the O2 brand”, while the head of broadband acquisitions will develop and execute a marketing plan for attracting new customers.
O2’s marketing team has undergone a number of changes in the past year. Former marketing director Russ Shaw, who was made capability and innovation director in 2006 (MW May 25, 2006), was promoted to a group position at parent company Telefonica last year (MW June 14, 2006). The move triggered a restructure of the marketing department that saw Shaw’s innovation team disbanded.
