Virgin Media hands Stockwell new role

Virgin Media has appointed Ashley Stockwell (pictured) to replace James Kydd as managing director of brand and marketing. Stockwell joined Virgin Media as managing director of brand at launch, but was later promoted to head Virgin Group’s brand globally.

Stockwell has been overseeing the brand and marketing at Virgin Media since Kydd announced his departure in August. It is not known if he has a job to go to.

Both were brought into the cable company in June 2006 to oversee the rebranding of the NTL and Telewest brands to Virgin (MW April 23, 2006). Kydd, previously Virgin Mobile marketing director, took the title of managing director marketing, while Stockwell was given the brand remit.

Kydd’s role was expanded in September last year following Stockwell’s promotion to managing director of people, heading the human resources function (MW†September 26, 2007).

Stockwell has worked for the Virgin Group for 17 years, starting at Virgin Atlantic and later at Virgin Cinemas, Virgin Drinks, Virgin Trains and Virgin.com.

NTL:Telewest was rebranded as Virgin Media in February last year, as predicted in Marketing Week (MW September 21, 2006).