The promotion follows Costello’s appointment as CEO of Haymarket Media Group in January 2010.
David Prasher (pictured) will be responsible for Consumer’s portfolio of specialist magazine and web brands, including WhatCar?, Stuff, FourFourTwo, PistonHeads, Autocar, Autosport and Gramophone.
“I’m honoured to be asked to lead Haymarket Consumer Media at what is possibly the most exciting period in its history,” said Prasher.
“I relish the prospect of working with some of the most talented people in the business to further develop our market leading brands. I’m taking the helm of a business that is in great shape to meet the challenges ahead.”
Prasher joined Haymarket 18 years ago as a graduate sales trainee. He progressed to group advertising manager of HCM’s motoring titles, before publishing Classic & Sports Car, Autosport and autosport.com. He was appointed sales director of Motoring in 2003, then Consumer Media’s sales director in 2007.
Kevin Costello said of the appointment: “I’m delighted that David has accepted the MD’s seat for Consumer Media. He has an exceptional knowledge of the portfolio, the markets they serve, and both the magazine and digital aspects of our business.”
The appointment prompts further managerial changes within the division.
The group publishing director of Haymarket Motoring, Patrick Fuller, will now also lead HCM’s Motorsport division, adding Autosport, F1 Racing and Motorsport News to his existing portfolio of WhatCar?, Autocar, Classic & Sports Car and PistonHeads. Peter Higham, Motorsport’s current publishing director, will report to Fuller.
Meanwhile, Bob McDowell will add responsibility for Haymarket’s Business Intelligence Unit – which operates across the Group’s Consumer and Business divisions – to his current role as HCM’s strategy & planning director. McDowell also retains his responsibility as the Leisure group publishing director.
Both McDowell and Fuller will report to David Prasher.
