
HMV has made some changers to its senior leadership team, promoting David Athey to the role of commercial director and expanding Kate Longbottom’s marketing responsibilities.
Athey, a veteran of the chain with 35 years of experience, steps into the new role after previously serving as head of music and technology.
As commercial director, Athey will oversee all commercial aspects of HMV’s operations, including the development of its European offerings and strengthening supplier relationships to ensure the retailer remains a leader on the high street.
Kate Longbottom, who joined HMV in 2022 as head of marketing, will now take on broader marketing responsibilities, overseeing all marketing initiatives across the store estate, advertising, PR, and the brand’s online presence.
Longbottom brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, and Virgin Megastores.
These changes come after the departure of Patrizia Leighton, HMV’s former marketing and commercial director, who is leaving the company after 12 years to explore “new challenges”.
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The retailer’s managing director Phil Halliday said “We’re thrilled to announce the promotion of David from Head of Music & Technology to Commercial Director and Kate as our Head of Marketing.
“David has been with us for over 30 years now and holds a deep understanding of the business as well as vast experience and expertise across music, film, and TV, which we will lean heavily on as we look to continue the businesses growth and expansion.
“Kate has been a longstanding member of the team and will be an outstanding marketing lead. With a focus on building our brand across the UK and in our nascent markets of Ireland and Belgium. She will also put renewed focus on bringing consumers into our local stores as well as driving our ecommerce offer.”
Athey said: “We have a strong position in the market today, a more developed offer to our customers than ever before and bold plans to continue to innovate for our pop-culture fan audience. I’m looking forward to making sure that Hmv remains a place where fans of music, film and culture can congregate and find like-minded communities across our estate.”
Kate Longbottom added: “We have plans to continue our growth building on the legacy that Patrizia has left us across not only our store estate but also across our online proposition.
“In our stores customers can look forward to more from our Live and Local programme for new artists, more appearances in-stores from big names and more community events for fans. At the same time we will continue to invest in our ecommerce offer which has grown consistently in recent years.”
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