Argos hands top brand activity job to Abbey woman

by MARK KLEINMAN, Marketing 11-Apr-02

Argos has drafted in an Abbey National marketer to steer its brand communications as part of an overhaul of its marketing department.

The company, part of retail giant GUS, has hired Abbey National head of national communications Helen Page as head of brand marketing. Page will oversee Argos' above-the-line advertising, handled by Ogilvy & Mather, and other brand activity.

Argos has also appointed Stephen Clark, a former Dixons Stores Group marketer, most recently at Cable & Wireless in Australia, as head of product marketing. Both Clark and Page report to Argos marketing director Paul Geddes.

The appointments coincide with the departure of head of customer strategy and format development Jim Forward after just eight months in the job.

Forward is understood to have left Argos to pursue other business interests.

Geddes said Forward's responsibilities have been shared out among other marketers.

Argos' most recent financial results, for the six months to September 30, 2001, showed operating profit up 24% to £44.2m.