New advertising head for American Express

American Express has found a new UK head of advertising, Sarah Alspach, from within the company to replace Jeremy Hook.

Alspach joined Amex a year ago as marketing director for new card members acquisition in the UK.

Alspach has worked on both the agency and client side for Amex – she was regional manager for Amex at Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide for two years.

An Amex spokesman says: “Sarah Alspach will work closely with the Amex head office in New York, where advertising strategy and creative is developed. She will develop the message locally for the UK.”

As head of advertising, Alspach will be responsible for managing the relationship with her old agency O&M and the media buying agency TMD Carat.

Prior to O&M, Alspach spent three years as an account director at Bronner Slosberg Humphrey in Boston, the agency which recently won the consumer direct marketing account for Amex in the US.

Hook quit Amex to become marketing director of The Stationery Office’s publications division in December (MW 4 December 1997).

During his stint as marketing director, Hook was instrumental in setting up Amex’s high-profile sponsorship deals with fashion designer Alexander McQueen and the Olivier Awards.

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