Latitude expands with McCarthy hire

by Media Week, Media Week 18-Mar-08

Neil McCarthy, commercial director of search agency Tamar, has been appointed chief sales and marketing officer for rival Latitude.

McCarthy has been brought in to take over the sales and marketing
responsibilities from Latitude chief executive Dylan Thwaites.

The company said the move reflects its rapid expansion in recent years.

Formed in 2001, Latitude achieved turnover of £100,000 in its

first year and, by 2006, that figure had risen to £31m.

McCarthy said he anticipated its 2007 revenues would be higher than its
2006 results.

"Latitude is making dramatic progress with more than 100 staff now, and
has not only seen a record year of expansion last year, but has had a
record Q1," said McCarthy.

McCarthy's appointment coincides with a recruitment drive for Latitude's
sales team, which is set to double to 15 people, and a seven-figure
increase in its marketing budget.

McCarthy joins the company three months after the departure of Jon
Myers, who, as director of search, led the paid and organic search
departments and was responsible for implementing best practice across
the agency.

Myers joined MediaVest Manchester's digital outfit, MVi, in a bid to
boost the company's search billings.