London - Former BBC Radio 1 Controller Andy Parfitt, who relinquished the reins at the station at the end of July this year after an unprecedented 13 year run, is to join the senior team at Saatchi & Saatchi Fallon this month. It is a part-time position in addition to the role he is already playing with BBC Radio and Comic Relief.
Reporting to Regional CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi EMEA, Robert Senior, Parfitt's remit is to work alongside the region's senior management teams to help nurture, shape and attract the very best talent available.
Robert Senior said: "Andy has an extraordinary feel for Creative organisations and their utter reliance on talent. And he understands talent like no other. He's unique and we're very lucky to have him on board."
Parfitt, who also trained as an Executive coach at the BBC, said: "I admire Robert's energy and insight enormously and I am very excited to be part of this new challenge across such a diverse region.
"For me, Saatchi & Saatchi is the most famous creative agency in the world, making some great work with a range of interesting clients. There is a talented and collaborative senior team in place and I'm really looking forward to the start of this new chapter."
Gail Gallie, CEO of Fallon said: "I can't wait to work with Andy. He has a highly creative approach which I'm sure will make a tremendous difference to the Saatchi and Fallon businesses."
Andy Parfitt joined the BBC in 1980 working as a Studio Manager. He became a producer in BBC Education in 1985, then joined Radio 4 in 1987 and produced Pick of the Week and Bookshelf. Parfitt helped set up Radio 5Live, and became the network's Assistant Editor in 1989. He joined Radio 1 as Chief Assistant to the Controller in 1993. A year later he was promoted first to Editor, Commissioning and Planning and then to Managing Editor. In 1997, he became the network's Deputy Controller.
Parfitt was appointed Controller of Radio 1 in 1998. During this time he successfully transformed the network from a purely analogue offering to a fully interactive and innovative multi-platform/visual proposition and saw the reach of the station increase to nearly 12 million listeners a week with over two million people using the Radio 1 website every week - ensuring that Radio 1 is a central driver for the BBC in engaging with younger audiences. In 2002, Andy oversaw the conception and launch of BBC Radio 1Xtra - a digital radio station which plays contemporary Hip Hop and R'n'B with a strong emphasis on live and new music. The station is the fastest growing youth digital station in the UK.
In 2008 Parfitt's role within the BBC expanded to include Controller of BBC Popular Music in addition to his existing portfolio that spanned Radio 1, 1Xtra, Asian Network, BBC Switch. He was responsible for driving the BBC's popular music strategy across all platforms and he oversaw the BBC's festival coverage across all platforms - from Glastonbury to Reading & Leeds and T in the Park.
Parfitt climbed Mount Kilimanjaro along with Radio 1 presenters Chris Moyles, Fearne Cotton and seven other celebrities, raising over £3 million for Comic Relief in 2009. Parfitt trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (now an associate college of UWE) and is a Fellow of The Radio Academy.
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