Option One about to appoint new md

Sales promotion agency Option One is understood to be on the verge of appointing a managing director, a role currently held by the agency’s chairman Bob Bayley.

Sources close to the board of Option One owner Gold Greenlees Trott claim the new md would be virtually imposed on the agency after concern over its performance in the past 12 months.

GGT reorganised its below-the-line agencies at the end of last year when Option One’s direct marketing business was merged with GGT Direct (MW October 28). The direct marketing operation now functions under the GGT Direct name while Option One continues to handle the sales promotion business.

Bayley assumed the role of md in addition to his duties as chairman after the departure of Paul Cunningham in 1993, who left to join sales promotion agency Black Cat.

Bayley denies the new appointment is being forced on Option One.