Cabal has abruptly parted company with one of its founding team -
Front ad director Dan Proctor.
The publisher has started a frantic search for a replacement, but in the
interim, advertising sales manager Mark Fitzgerald has stepped up as
acting ad director.
Group ad sales chief Debbie Bowman said she didn’t know what Proctor’s
future plans were. ’We would have preferred him to stay a little
longer,’ she said.
Fitzgerald is also to take on a new position - business development
director - with a brief to develop non-traditional revenue streams
across all Cabal’s magazines and contract publishing activities, but
particularly in the male lifestyle sector. He will build
cross-promotions, advertorials and brand extensions for Front and will
head the commercial development of its website.
Front’s display sales force has been bolstered with an additional sales
executive, Cathy Snell, who joins from Dennis’ MacUser.
Fitzgerald is also expected to play a lead role in developing ad sales
for the two new men’s magazines, reported to be launching next
March.
Sales staff are being sought for these launches.
Fitzgerald, who joined Cabal a year ago from IPC’s women’s weeklies,
said: ’We have clearly defined areas that need to develop and my role
will grow.’
He will also play an active role in the contract publishing operation,
headed by publishing director Jonathan Rose, which is becoming
increasingly important in Cabal’s growth plans.
Recent ventures have included an employee magazine for Scottish Telecom,
Thus, and Channel 4’s Celebrating Chelsea supplement.
Rose is expecting more business from Channel 4 and claims to be close to
winning a number of new clients.
Cabal has also established new media partnerships, contributing content
from its Pro Cycling website to Kronenbourg’s Tour de France site. Real
Homes has also licensed its brand and content to home design software
produced by Mattel’s The Learning Company. Rose said there are more
deals in the pipeline. ’We have developed brands which can transfer into
new media and, through content, into contract publishing.’ he said.
