Qype appoints ex-Lastminute marketer to head UK launch

Qype UK, the consumer review and social networking site, has appointed former Lastminute.com marketer Sophie MacLaren as its first marketing director. The move comes as the site prepares for its full launch in the UK.

MacLaren, who took on the role earlier this month, will report to Qype UK general manager Andrew Hunter. She was previously head of lifestyle marketing at Lastminute.com, where she was responsible for developing its links with restaurants, spas, events and festivals.

While at Lastminute.com, MacLaren launched London Restaurant Week, as well as several theatre promotions and lifestyle campaigns. She has also worked at Ticketmaster and the New York City Opera.

Qype has also appointed Emily van Lierop as marketing manager for the UK. Lierop was previously creative manager at fashion website Koodos.com, where she was responsible for its brand identity and customer base.

The new appointments come just a week after Qype announced it had secured an additional €8m (£6.4m) funding to help it expand into new countries and begin offering new services to customers.

The site says it will consider the appointment of an advertising agency following its full launch, which is due to take place imminently. It had a soft launch last year.