Williams back to Media with Universal move
McCann coup - Sue Little and Williams.
Mike Williams, a founding Partner of MediaVest Manchester and well-known face in the Northern media, has resigned as non-Executive Chairman of Manchester’s Galaxy 102 as he takes up the new position of Chairman at Universal McCann Manchester.Willliams stepped into his new role at the end of January, and was forced to resign the chair of the Chrysalis-owned station due to a conflict of interest. He said: “Very unfortunately, I am going to have to resign my position at Galaxy. You can’t be poacher and gamekeeper at the same time. They are a very talented bunch of people and it’s a real shame I’m not going to be working with them any more.”
The appointment of Williams follows the departure of Andrew Thomas, Managing Director of Universal, who has left the agency to start up his own digital marketing business. Williams is now expected to work at least three full days a week at the Bonis Hall premises of Universal McCann Manchester, where he will aim to take the agency forward. On his new role, Williams commented: “I’ve been running my own business for a while, which was very good, but the chance to work with McCann and Universal was very exciting. The business is going through a resurgence and it’s a great time to be involved.
“There are certainly not going to be any sweeping changes. They’ve got a great team in place, so it’s really maximising what is a very firm and very talented foundation.”
The day-to-day running of accounts at Universal will continue to be handled by media directors Richard Aldiss and Mark James.
Williams remains non-Executive Chairman of a number of companies, which does not clash with his role at Universal McCann Manchester.
His appointment comes as Universal sister company McCann Erickson Manchester wins the £4m Britannia Building Society advertising account. The agency won the Britannia below-the-line account last year and will now develop a set of brand guidelines for the company as well as an extensive above-the-line campaign.