LG Mobile loses UK general manager

LG Mobile has lost its UK general manager just weeks after one of its biggest ever launches, for the 3D smartphone that it hopes will help it regain the market share it has lost to Apple and Nokia.

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LG’s experiential campaign for the 3D Optimus smartphone

Jim Michel has left his role at the head of the UK division and “accepted a new position”, although LG has not confirmed whether it was internal or at another company.

Michel was promoted to the general manager role amid a reshuffle in February, which aimed to bring LG’s UK success in line with that of Korea, where its HQ is based.

An LG spokesman says: “We can confirm that Jim Michel, UK general manager of LG Mobile, has accepted a new position and will be leaving LG later this year.”

LG says the launch of Optimus 3D is evidence of its commitment to delivering the “most innovative products” and “stand out campaigns” that connect with its consumers.

The spokesman adds: “LG Electronics continually strives to improve our services and offerings within the UK market and sustaining our position as a global leader and technology innovator.”

LG Mobile’s UK head of marketing, Alex Windle, admitted to Marketing Week last month that its customers had “drifted” over the past year as they migrated over to market leaders Apple and Nokia.

The company is the seventh largest smartphone-maker in the UK, with 1.2% of the market share, according to comScore. Its closest rivals are Sony Ericsson (6.3%) and Samsung (7.3%).

Separately, Sony Ericsson, which has also seen its handset dominance pale after the arrival of Apple’s iPhone, has hired former Vodafone games and apps boss Tim Harrison, to lead its gaming strategy.

Sony Ericsson is focussing this year’s marketing strategy around its Xperia Play phone – the only PlayStation smartphone – which it hopes will move it into a leadership position among other Android handsets.

 

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