Cross takes over media buying at COI
Mark Cross is set to assume board level responsibility for the Central Office of Information's media buying service from January.
Cross’s appointment follows news that deputy chief executive Peter Buchanan is to retire at the end of the year.
Cross joined the COI in 2007 as communications planning director, overseeing strategy, planning and evaluation, and will now add media buying to his board responsibilities. Previous to this Cross worked at agencies including DMB&B, Young and Rubicam and Cogent Elliot Group, and was chief executive at PHD Compass.
Meanwhile it is understood that Buchanan will continue to work part-time in the advertising and marketing industry, but as yet it is unknown what this will entail.
The COI has also confirmed the departure of Corrine Purton and Jeremy Found. Director of channel integration Purton left the Government body in November, while head of media Found is set to leave in early 2011. Found will now report to Cross until he leaves.