Starcom MediaVest consolidates UK teams

by Arif Durrani, mediaweek.co.uk 24-Mar-09, 09:15

LONDON - Starcom MediaVest Group has reshaped its UK operations around larger, multi-faceted investment teams to better reflect clients' needs in a converging media world.

The move brings Starcom and MediaVest more closely in line with group set-ups in other markets. The number of teams in both businesses has been consolidated from nine to six, with staff being trained to work across more channels under new investment directors.

At Starcom, television, video-on- demand, cinema and broadcast sponsorship activity is united under the banner of audiovisual, led by George Constantinou; radio, print and outdoor have joined up to create a wireless team under Dom Woolfe, and display and integrated solutions form part of a digital team, under Leo Metelli.

Together they are part of the Starcom Operations Board, which is also made up of business directors Elliot Parkus, Jane Ollier and Alison Boucher, planning director Amice Lock and P&G investment director Eddie Adedeji.

Alastair Bannerman, managing director of Starcom, said the moves were "a really positive change" leading to a team of "more rounded media practitioners".

Similar changes have taken place at sibling MediaVest, where investment teams are being led by Patrick Whitnall and Ben Chesters, alongside business directors Matt Lloyd, Duff Borer, Jamie Pearson and P&G planner Ravi Saksena.

MediaVest managing director Steve Parker said the approach continues SMG’s culture of "challenging people to be masters in multi-disciplines without diluting specialist skills".