By Dominic Ponsford
The flamboyant general manager of Trinity Mirror’s national titles, Ellis Watson has resigned.
He
was previously managing director of Celador and before that spent 10
years with News International rising to the job of marketing
director, News Group Newspapers.
was previously managing director of Celador and before that spent 10
years with News International rising to the job of marketing
director, News Group Newspapers.
As
general manager he was in overall charge of turning around the rapid
sales decline at the Daily Mirror. But in the last round of ABCs the
title continued its big sales drop, down nearly 10 per cent
year-on-year.
general manager he was in overall charge of turning around the rapid
sales decline at the Daily Mirror. But in the last round of ABCs the
title continued its big sales drop, down nearly 10 per cent
year-on-year.
Watson, 36, had been in the
job for two years. According to Mirror insiders he wants to spend more
time with this young Scotland-based family.
job for two years. According to Mirror insiders he wants to spend more
time with this young Scotland-based family.
He said: “I’ve loved every thrilling moment in this wonderful business working
alongside many of the most talented people in newspapers. I’m really
grateful to Sly for giving me the opportunity to oversee some of the UK’s
best-loved titles and in doing so to post a cracking set of results.
alongside many of the most talented people in newspapers. I’m really
grateful to Sly for giving me the opportunity to oversee some of the UK’s
best-loved titles and in doing so to post a cracking set of results.
“But I also love my family and wish to see them grow and develop so I’m
returning to my other passions in life and they are all in Scotland.”
returning to my other passions in life and they are all in Scotland.”
In September Ellis will join one of Scotland’s largest companies, John
Menzies plc, where he will take up the role of Managing Director of Menzies
Distribution. He will be based in Edinburgh.
Menzies plc, where he will take up the role of Managing Director of Menzies
Distribution. He will be based in Edinburgh.
Trinity Mirror chief executive Sly Bailey said: “Ellis comes from Planet Tabloid and we
are all going to miss his flamboyance, his dreadful dress sense and of
course his unswerving ‘modesty’.
are all going to miss his flamboyance, his dreadful dress sense and of
course his unswerving ‘modesty’.
“Ellis has imbued great excitement, wit and skill into our business and it
will be a less colourful place without him. I sincerely wish him every
success for the future and look forward to working with him in his new
role.”
will be a less colourful place without him. I sincerely wish him every
success for the future and look forward to working with him in his new
role.”
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