PPA Reshuffles Research Teams

Magazine trade association the PPA (Periodical Publishers Association) is to consolidate its various research departments into a single research unit, following a review by incoming CEO Jonathan Shephard.

PPA is the association for publishers and providers of consumer, customer and business media in the UK. Its membership consists of almost 400 publishing companies, which publish more than 2,500 consumer, business and professional magazines. The restructure, which follows the PPA's recent decision to review the future of its marketing department, will create several new research posts including that of Head of Research.

PPA Chairman Peter Phippen commented: 'These changes will consolidate PPA's position as a leading media trade body and improve our intellectual capital, commercial performance and our influence in Westminster and Brussels on behalf of our members.'

In addition, the overhaul includes the consolidation of PPA's programme of conferences and awards events into a newly created events department.

The vacant post of Director of Legal and Public Affairs is being split into two with the creation of a new post of General Counsel in charge of legal issues, and a Head of Public Affairs in charge of representation. A new post of Head of Press is also being created, along with that of Sales Manager reporting into COO Sarah Tunstall, who takes charge of the body's commercial, financial and events operations and the relaunch of the PPA web site in 2009.

Shephard - a barrister who joined the association in January - has overall responsibility for legal, research, circulation, press and PR activities, as well as for the key relationships with ad agencies. He and Tunstall, together with the newly appointed Head of Research, will manage the key relationships with PPA's main committees.

Web site: www.ppa.co.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.