Eagle Star hires top Pru man for international role

Eagle Star has appointed Prudential’s Mark Goodman to the senior position of international business development manager for its international life division.

At Prudential, Goodman was life and investment director for its financial services division. Prior to that he was investment marketing manager at Eagle Star.

Meanwhile, Prudential has confirmed Dominic Owens as head of advertising and design. His

previous title was advertising and corporate identity manager.

The Prudential decided some months ago to merge its two retail banking operations, Prudential Home Services and Prudential Financial Services, to create Prudential UK.

All 180 marketing staff were told to re-apply for their jobs, with 30 per cent facing redundancy.

Under the new structure, Mike Tildesley, who was appointed head of marketing communications in August, has five senior marketers reporting to him, one of whom will be Owens. The Prudential is also believed to be recruiting a marketing director, to whom Tildesley will report.

Owens says he has no plans to review the advertising account, which is held by Mustoe Merriman Herring & Levy.

The Prudential spent about 12m on its advertising campaigns last year (Register-MEAL). Industry insiders suggest that the company will be increasing that spend significantly.

It is understood that a number of marketing executives at the Prudential have yet to hear whether they have a role in the new structure.