Thomas Cook division PR head Smith quits for AMP

German-owned package holiday provider Thomas Cook has lost its

distribution division head of PR, Jane Smith.

Smith has left the company to join AMP Financial Services as head of

internal PR.

Thomas Cook is now on the hunt for someone to oversee all internal and

external PR for its distribution arm, which includes the firm's call

centres and high street shops.

Smith's former role has been bolstered to include PR for the company's

website - www.thomascook.com - previously headed by Sophie Roe, who left

in May.

The head of PR will lead a team of two, including PR manager Nick

O'Donnell, reporting to marketing director Kevin Styles and PR director

Alexis Coles.

Part of the remit will be to review the communications set up and

external PR support, which is currently provided by retained agency JG

PR.

O'Donnell said they were 'looking at the options' in terms of taking on

more external PR agencies.

Thomas Cook has hired freelance consultant Kerry Jones to assume the

head of PR responsibilities until Smith's successor is recruited.

Smith joined Thomas Cook in 1997 as PR manager for its financial

services operation from Birmingham Midshires Building Society, where she

was head of corporate communications (PRWeek, 26 September 1997).

Thomas Cook, bought out last year by Germany's C&N Touristic Travel

Group, is set for an expected IPO in London and Frankfurt in 18 months'

time with a value of about £2.5bn.

The dual listing will be the firm's first flotation since it was founded

160 years ago.