Co-op travel group lays off top marketer
The Co-operative Travel Trading Group (CTTG), which buys and markets holidays on behalf of seven Co-op travel businesses, is axing a dozen jobs including that of chief marketer Jane Carty.
Carty was appointed head of marketing in 2003 (MW May 8, 2003). She was responsible for the appointment of Manchester-based agency Like A River to CTTG’s &£1.7m advertising business and also oversaw the media planning and buying pitch, which was won by Brilliant Media (MW October 16, 2003).
CTTG marketing manager Derry Hodgkins will take over the majority of Carty’s responsibilities.
A spokesman for CTTG says the redundancies are a cost-cutting measure following “a review of business activity”. Efforts will be made to redeploy Carty and other staff within the Co-operative Society. CTTG commercial general manager Mike Beaumont is also a casualty of the cuts.
The spokesman adds that the company will focus its marketing resources on its members’ retail branch network – its most profitable sales channel – which numbers more than 600 stores. The individual members of CTTG also operate websites and call centres.
CTTG was formed in February 2003 (MW February 27, 2003) and is the UK’s largest independent travel agent chain. Its campaigns last year stressed its members’ independence from major tour operators and their impartial advice.
