Mobile discount app giant vouchercloud has appointed the UK’s first dedicated director of Christmas to oversee their festive money-off promotions.

Dougal Templeton has been appointed three months before the big day to liaise with leading local and national retailers keen to deliver exclusive discounts to vouchercloud’s 1.8 million users this Christmas.
The position will be a full-time, year-round post.

Dougal Templeton says: “I’m going to be snowed under preparing for the Christmas rush. It’s a critical time and recruiting the very best deals across the UK now takes all year to sort. Big brands start thinking about their Christmas offering eight months in advance.

“My job is to deliver every possible type of festive offer online and direct to our users’ smart phones. This is a unique position and a whole lot of fun. I’m the only one in the office with Christmas lights around my desk and a parking space...for a sleigh!

“Thankfully, they’re not making me wear red every day but there are a lot of cracks from colleagues about Elf and Safety.”

Last year, the peak week for online Christmas shopping was the second week in December, a week later than normal. The delay was due in part to cash-strapped shoppers holding off buying their gifts as they looked for last minute bargains, and the effect of November's postal strike.

Research shows UK consumers are now downloading 600,000 vouchers every day to redeem against shopping, eating out, leisure activities and clothing. vouchercloud saw a massive 32% increase in usage last Christmas alone.

vouchercloud offers discounts via its mobile phone app and at www.vouchercloud.com where users can choose to receive their discounts as printable vouchers, online codes or SMS alerts.