Brydon to replace Russell as head of press at MPG

by Ben Bold, Media Week 06-Mar-07, 09:57

LONDON - Media Planning Group has made a high-profile appointment, hiring former Evening Standard advertisement director Alan Brydon as head of press communications.

Brydon, who joins in April, replaces head of press Alex Russell, who is moving to IPC Southbank as group ad director towards the end of March (Media Week, 16 January).
At MPG, Brydon will be responsible for championing the agency's relationship with print publishers to clients, capitalising on his media owner and his agency experience.

He will report to MPG's managing partner, Marc Mendoza.

"Without question, Alan is a heavyweight appointment for us and is a great addition to our senior team," Mendoza said.
He added that the agency is looking to expand through further recruitment.
Brydon was at the Standard for four years.
He left the paper abruptly at the end of 2006 and has since headed business development at pitch broker the AAR.
Prior to joining Associated Newspapers, he held a number of posts at agencies including Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, Rocket and CIA Medianetwork UK, where he was managing director.
At the Standard, Brydon was involved in introducing a controversial advertising policy that resulted in free space being given to agencies that committed to the paper.
The scheme was subsequently taken apart by managing director Bert Hardy, when he joined in September 2005.
MPG is the global media arm of advertising network Havas.
Its other UK clients include Magners, Camelot, P&O Ferries, TUI and Pioneer.
MPG started the year winning the £7m planning and buying account for National Express Group (Media Week, 30 January, page 3).
The account covers planning and buying for National Express Coaches and the firm's trains and bus divisions.