Mark Hardy

Hardy, who will report to chief executive Paul Keenan, will take overall responsibility for Bauer’s web, social and mobile offerings.

His immediate focus will be on developing and enhancing the presence of Bauer’s existing brands and executing new digital services to further extend the company’s reach and influence.

At Sony Music Hardy worked as the strategic planning director, driving the company’s marketing strategy.

Prior to that he worked as marketing director for Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment with responsibility for the company’s global entertainment brands. He was also responsible for the global launch of One Direction.

In a separate development, Bauer has appointed former Top Of The Pops producer Ric Blaxill as director of music and content at the recently purchased Planet Rock. Blaxill already carries out this role for the company’s Heat radio channel.