EasyJet promotes Berks to top marketing services position

Easyjet-planeBudget airline easyJet has promoted brand communications manager Andrew Berks to the new role of head of marketing services.

It follows the departure of head of brand marketing Paul Simmons earlier this month (MW September 4). His role has been scrapped and Berks will take on his responsibilities as part of his new role.

Berks, who will report to chief commercial officer Saad Hammad, will now handle consumer advertising and direct marketing, consumer research and third party distribution. He will add this to his previous responsibilities, which include email marketing, search engine optimisation and airport signage.

Prior to joining easyJet in 2006, Berks held roles at Bass Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels and cricket website cricinfo.com.

Simmons left easyJet to join Dubailand Parks & Resorts as sales and distribution director. The company is working on a £34bn leisure and development project in Dubai, which is due to open in 2010.

He joined easyJet in June 2006 replacing David Meliveo, who was the airline’s brand and marketing manager.

The Luton-based airline recently stepped in to help passengers stranded by the collapse of holiday operator XL Group by offering them flights home for £75.

It also added extra flights to Paris from London Luton because of the “ongoing travel disruption of Eurotunnel services”.