Metro loses managing and marketing directors

Metro’s managing director Linda Grant and marketing director Bryan Scott are to leave the daily freesheet, with the former’s departure understood to be part of a wide-ranging commercial review. 

Metro
The departure of MD Linda Grant understood to be part of a wide-ranging commercial review.

Both Grant and Scott are to leave the company today (29 November). It is yet known who will replace them or whether their departures will prompt a restructure.

Kevin Beatty, chief executive of DMG Media, the unit Metro sits within, says in a statement announcing Grant’s departure that there is an “extensive review” of the business underway.

Revenue at Metro declined 10 per cent to £80m in the year to 30 September suffering from tough comparatives with the previous financial year when the paper benefited from increased ad spend and commercial tie-ups during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Grant had been in her current role since March 2011. She is credited with managing the launch of its digital editions and the relaunch of metro.co.uk. Prior to Metro, she held several executive and marketing roles at DMG owned A&N Media and Associated Newspapers.

Scott insisted on Twitter that his departure is “unconnected” to Grant’s. He said on the social network: “[Taking] Time out to recharge. Had a tough few months personally. We’ll see what happens next.”

He has been Metro’s marketing director since December 2011.    

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