Former head of Clickmango joins Telewest

David Caswell, former marketing director of doomed natural health products site Clickmango.com, is joining cable company Telewest as head of interactive services.

Caswell’s appointment comes as Telewest strengthens its consumer marketing team to boost brand acquisitions and aid retention.

John Petter, a project manager at Procter & Gamble, has been recruited as head of digital TV, with responsibility for building TV equity, content and strategy.

Petter and Caswell will report to David Hobday, Telewest’s director of TV and visual products.

Both positions have been created to strengthen Telewest’s presence in the digital and interactive markets and improve its customer focus.

Caswell, who joined Clickmango in February from Disney TV, where he was European marketing manager, will have responsibility for all non-broadcast TV services, including e-commerce, e-mail and gaming.

Hobday says: “Caswell and Petter join us with a track-record of big brand successes. I am delighted they have chosen to join Telewest as we continue to deliver leading digital technology to our customers.” However, Telewest has put its digital roll-out on hold due to a shortage of set-top boxes.

Clickmango, which was launched earlier this year in a blaze of publicity, this week announced it is to close after failing to secure extra funding.

Its 20 staff have been given one month’s notice as part of a plan to wind the company up by the end of September, unless a buyer can be found.

A Telewest spokesman says: “Caswell took the decision to leave Clickmango a number of weeks ago when he saw the opportunity at Telewest.” He joins Telewest on August 14.