Nike seeks UK advertising chief

Nike is upgrading the position of advertising manager, and is seeking a heavyweight candidate to fill the post in the UK.

The search follows the departure of UK advertising manager Tony Hill, who is leaving the company to become account director at Leeds advertising agency Poulter, where he will work on the 3.5m Sharp Electronics business.

Nike’s head office in the US is giving more responsibility to marketing at national level and is upgrading the position of advertising manager. The moves are a result of the introduction of category management at the end of last year.

The ad manager will report to marketing director Dermot Cleary, who was poached from SmithKline Beecham (MW May 19) where he was category director for oral care.

Nike is also looking for a PR manager to replace Simon Taylor, who became manager for running, when category management was introduced.

The new candidate for the UK post will be required to have “at least seven years’experience”, according to one source close to the company. “This will be a fuller job, more than just placing advertisements – it will be more of a strategic communications role,” says the insider.