MediaVest boss returns to Capital

MediaVest commercial director Linda Smith is to return to Capital Radio Advertising (CRA) as managing director, replacing group sales director Fru Hazlitt.

Smith spent four years at Capital’s former sales operation, Media Sales & Marketing, but left her post as client marketing director in November 1997 when it became part of the fledgling CRA.

Smith rejoins CRA on April 10 after two years on the MediaVest board. She will report to Capital Radio group commercial director Paul Davies, who previously hired her to work for MSM, and be responsible for 130.

The new post of managing director expands on Hazlitt’s role, with responsibility for initiating the integration of radio and Internet sales.

Smith will work with Capital Radio’s new &£5.5m Net division, Capital Interactive, as well as controlling business development, trade marketing, sponsorship, and client, agency and local sales.

She will also work with the company’s executive directors on strategy: “I am interested in mid- and long-term development – thinking about how we are going to differentiate the business.”

Hazlitt is to leave this summer to become European sales director of Internet search engine Yahoo!

But Davies says Hazlitt will be released early following Smith’s appointment.