Making the announcement, Howa said, "The appointment of our most senior and successful regional marketing and sales executive to this key national post indicates the importance accorded to it by top management. John will be charged with meeting the commercial needs of our national advertisers at a time when competitive pressures in the SA economy have never been greater."
In addition to his new duties, Lloyd will remain in charge of the Independent Cape advertising and marketing team.
Howa added that Lloyd was the only South African serving on the International Newspaper Marketing Association (INMA), based in the United States.
Howa noted that Lloyd's recent successes with multi-media promotional and advertising packages for key clients such as Proudly South African, The Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour, the First African in Space and SA Rugby will be translated to the national stage.
Responding to the announcement, Lloyd said, "I consider myself lucky to be taking over a thoroughly professional sales organisation that has done a superb job representing the leading newspaper publisher in South Africa. My task will be to nurture those sales strengths, while bringing a new emphasis to through-the-line opportunities for our clients."
Lloyd will also "review, redesign and repackage" existing rate structures and "upweight marketing and promotions", all within the existing ethos of "superior client support services".
Lloyd's appointment follows on the restructuring of top management control at Independent Newspapers, including the appointment of Tony Howard as CEO, Shaun Johnson as Deputy CE and Howa as Executive Director, Operations.
Lloyd takes up his new position immediately.
