MediaVest hires Bhatti as director

by Media Week, Media Week 22-Apr-08

MediaVest has appointed Sal Bhatti, the former head of commercial development at Associated's Metro, as associate director.

Bhatti will work alongside director Charlie Varley, assisting with strategy and media planning on one of MediaVest's largest clients, Barratt Homes.

He has worked with the Manchester-based agency on a consultancy basis since February and takes up a permanent post this month.

Prior to starting work for MediaVest, Bhatti headed the regional sales office at Metro for seven years, after stints at MindShare in Manchester, Gillett & Bevan Manchester and Express Newspapers.

MediaVest, together with MediaVest in London, picked up the £12m media account for Barratt Developments in August last year, previously handled by MediaCom North.

Formerly known as MediaVest Manchester, the agency dropped "Manchester" from the brand earlier this month in a bid to reposition itself as a national agency.

It is 19% owned by Starcom MediaVest Group.