Very Group has named Superdrug exec Paul Stafford as its new head of retail media.
Stafford has served as Superdrug’s head of retail media since June 2024, after working as its head of digital marketing, retail media and online brand.
The executive helped to launch the cosmetics company’s retail media network, Optimo, and brings more than 18 years of experience across brand, digital marketing and retail media.
Under his new position, he will lead the long-term strategy for Very Media Group, bolster relationships with existing brand partners and develop new commercial collaborations.
The new hire comes as the brand launches Very iD, its new first-party data solution, designed to power smarter, more effective marketing campaigns and help brand partners create campaigns that “resonate with their target audience” and drive return on investment.
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The Very Group chief customer officer Jessica Myers said: “We’ve been operating the retail media space for over 12 years, so we’re building on strong foundations. The appointment of Paul comes at an exciting time.
“Not only will he bolster our senior leadership team to take Very Media Group to new heights, but he’ll be working closely with our outstanding team to offer brand partners even more success in their campaigns through our new enhanced first party data solution, Very iD.”
Stafford said: “Very’s bold marketing activity and purpose of helping families get more out of life really stood out to me. It’s a challenger brand that’s embracing retail media and has a data first approach to customer success.
“It has a long history in the space and I’m looking forward to working with the talented in-house team and SMG to take Very Media Group from strength to strength.”
The appointment comes after Very Group’s in-house creative agency HelloStudio appointed former Target exec Beth Lowry as its head of creative direction in July.
Lowry joined the brand’s Liverpool based creative team, and brought more than 20 years of industry experience across the UK and USA.
