Clear Channel appoints new CEO
Clear Channel Outdoor has appointed former BT marketer Matthew Dearden as its CEO.
He will also join Clear Channel International’s executive committee.
Most recently he was consumer marketing director at BT and previously held the position of chief executive of BT Directories.
Dearden says: “Out-of-home advertising is an integral part of the brand conversation and Clear Channel has been instrumental in showcasing powerful and effective campaigns across the UK. I am very much looking forward to working with the UK and International teams to build on its strong performance this year and further develop and invest in the business.”
He has previously held marketing and brand management roles at FMCG giant Procter & Gamble and P&L owner at Telewest.
Dearden leaves BT at the end of July. BT says that until a successor is appointed David James, BT director of customer insight & intelligence will serve as interim marketing director.
The outdoor advertising industry is currently being reviewed by The Office of Fair Trading to scrutinise the concentration of buying and selling power.
The Outdoor Advertising Association, the industry trade body, has recently appointed Mike Baker as CEO. As part of his strategy to push the industry forward, he plans to make the organisation “more vocal, more visible and more proactive”.
