News Top Pizza Hut marketer departs after 12 months

Martin Pugh, marketing director of Pizza Hut UK, has left the fast-food chain without a job to go to, after just one year in the role.
Pugh, a high-profile retail marketer who has also held senior roles at Safeway and Comet, joined the chain only last summer. He is understood to have left at the end of last week to pursue other opportunities.
According to insiders, Pugh's departure is by mutual consent after he decided that the job was 'not for him'.
Pugh's arrival heralded the start of a major brand revitalisation at Pizza Hut and he oversaw the shake-up of most of its marketing supplier arrangements, including the appointment of Wieden & Kennedy as the company's creative agency and Starcom UK to handle its media. He also introduced Pizza Hut's ad campaign using the slogan 'Who's in the Hut?'
Prior to joining Pizza Hut, Pugh was marketing chief at Safeway for two years. He left the supermarket shortly after its takeover by Morrisons in March last year.
John Derkach, UK chief executive of Pizza Hut, confirmed that Pugh had left.
Simon Wallis, Pizza Hut's director of retail marketing, is expected to assume Pugh's responsibilities on a temporary basis while a successor is sought.
Pizza Hut, which is owned by Yum!, has placed a strong emphasis on product innovation this year. New offerings have included the UK debut of its US bestseller pizza, 4forAll.
The pizza, which has four individual toppings, was launched in March backed by a heavyweight advertising campaign created by Wieden & Kennedy.
PHOTO (COLOR): Pizza Hut: Pugh bought 'Who's in the Hut?' ads
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By Ben Carter