WFCA Poaches Mark Gallagher To Head Media Department

July 2009 - WFCA, has poached Mark Gallagher from Manning Gottlieb OMD (where he is Executive Board Director, Press, Online and Search), to take on the position of Media Director.

Gallagher joined Manning Gottlieb OMD in 1999 as an account manager working on its Virgin Mobile and Mitsubishi business. He was appointed as its head of press in 2001, the executive board in 2004, then added digital to his responsibilities in 2007). Prior to that he was Ad Manager at Radio Rentals, and planner/buyer at Carat.

Michael Richards, WFCA's CEO, launched the agency's media and digital departments in 2004 to offer a full-service capability. Full-service clients include Carpetright, Bathstore, The Perfume Shop, Yazoo, Budgens and Londis.

Richards said: "We've built up a strong media department from scratch over the past five years and now we're ready for Mark to bring his talent and experience to really ramp it up. He'll be working closely with our Media Planning Director, Jon Cook."

"By media, WFCA is currently ranked 29th in the UK (Nielsen 09). Mark has been personally ranked as a Top 10 Media Buyer for the past three years (Campaign, Dec 06/07/08). I'm looking at doubling our media business over the next 18 months, and together Mark and Jon and the whole media department will be the top team to deliver those objectives."

Gallagher said: "The prospect of joining the WFCA team was irresistible to me. They are based just 40 minutes outside London in glorious Tunbridge Wells and have just as much buzz and resource as a 'London agency'. They're also a group of incredibly talented, hard-working and commercially-minded individuals and by the very nature of WFCA's set up, they provide what clients yearn for in this complex and dynamic market, which is a truly neutral and integrated MarComms service."

In addition, Robert Hamer has been appointed to the Board of Directors as Non Executive Director, with immediate effect. Hamer has held senior management positions in both the media world and advertising agencies. During this time he has built, purchased and sold many agencies and was latterly responsible for creating a Central Eastern Europe and Scandinavian network for Foote, Cone and Belding, the global American communications network.

Michael Richards has been bolstering the agency's management team since WFCA plc was formed through the acquisition of WFCA by Ekay plc in April '08. Keira Lloyd was appointed New Business & Marketing Director. Stephen Wise was promoted to Group Business Development Director, whilst Steve Latter was made Finance Director, joining from Aegis. Nigel Palmer was appointed Client Services Director, joining from Saatchi.

Meantime former Media Director, Bill Jones, is leaving to pursue other interests.

PR: Amanda Harrison 01296 660 294 ah@amandaharrisonmedia.co.uk