Cancer Research UK director of brand, marketing and communications Anthony Newman – who has been at the charity for over 17 years – has quit to become global brand director for Merlin Entertainments’ Sea Life division.
Credited with increasing the number of regular givers to over 1 million, transforming Race for Life, and creating the ‘Cancer Is Happening Right Now’ campaign, Newman has worked in roles spanning brand, direct marketing, CRM and comms.
His role will now be handled jointly by Jo Cooke, director of brand, marketing and innovation, fundraising and marketing, and Peter Zarko-Flynn, director of communications.
Cancer Research UK executive director of fundraising and marketing Ed Aspel said: “Anthony has made a huge impact during his time at Cancer Research UK.”
Newamn starts his new job with the Merlin division at the end of May, replacing Dominic Warne and reporting to Fiona Eastwood, global marketing director – Midway, at Merlin.
Newman, who will handle brand management for more than 50 Sea Life attractions globally, said: “It’s now often said that the future of brands will be more about experience than visual identity, and Sea Life is the epitome of this shift.
“Despite Cancer Research UK and Merlin being such different organisations, there are actually many parallels between the roles I’ve done in the past and the new role at Sea Life – especially my work on Race for Life, which is also an experience brand.
“I see this role at Sea Life as a really exciting opportunity to use my experience to take a brilliant fun brand to the next level. Merlin is an inspiring organisation full of brilliant creative people, and I feel very lucky and proud to have the opportunity to be part of it.”
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