Europe UK : 3G Operator, 3UK, announced the appointment of John Penberthy-Smith as Marketing Director.
Penberthy-Smith, 39, who joined 3 in October 2006 as Director of Customer Marketing, will report to Kevin Russell, Deputy-CEO. As Marketing Director, Penberthy-Smith will be responsible for all marketing at 3, including products, customer propositions, channel and base marketing. He will also be responsible for marketing the X-Series from 3, 3’s flat rate mobile broadband offer launched in the UK in December 2006.
Penberthy-Smith will take over from Graeme Oxby, who is leaving 3 at the end of March, after five years with the company. Oxby is expected to take up a role in the private equity sector specialising in Telecoms, Media and Technology.
Prior to joining 3, Penberthy-Smith was at Vodafone where he held a number of roles including Head of Global Voice Propositions for Vodafone Group and Director of Consumer Marketing for Vodafone UK.
Bob Fuller, 3UK CEO, said, “John is a great addition to the senior management team at 3. He brings over 17 years of marketing experience, of which seven have been spent in mobile. 3 is a young brand and we’re clearly differentiated from our competitors in the market and I believe John will continue to build on what we’ve achieved with the brand and our services over the last four years.”
John Penberthy-Smith, commenting on his new role, said, “3 has built an exciting and original brand since it launched nearly four years ago. 3 is the challenger in the market and I look forward to building its leading 3G position by offering compelling customer propositions that are easy to understand. We must now ensure that our growing customer base sees 3 as the only place to meet all their mobile communication, entertainment and information needs.”
Bob Fuller, 3UK CEO, commenting on Graeme Oxby’s decision to leave 3 said, “Graeme has been instrumental in building 3 to a leading position in the mobile market, establishing a new brand in a competitive market. He has led us to the number one position in mobile music, gaming and TV and built a significant mobile media and entertainment business. I’d like to thank him for his hard work, he has been a great colleague and we wish him all the best in his future career.”
John Penberthy-Smith career history:
1999 - 2006 Vodafone UK & Group
Variety of roles including Head of Global Voice and Director of Consumer Marketing
Variety of roles including Head of Global Voice and Director of Consumer Marketing
1993 - 1999 Thorn UK
Variety of roles including Head of Marketing and Brand & Communications Manager
Variety of roles including Head of Marketing and Brand & Communications Manager
1989 – 1993 Dixons Stores Group
Joined on the Retail Management Graduate Scheme and roles included Product Manager
Joined on the Retail Management Graduate Scheme and roles included Product Manager
