Former Vodafone executive James Coughlan has been hired to head up HMV's new digital business, the first phase of which will launch in October.

Coughlan is tasked with “developing and delivering the digital offering within the HMV group” and will draw upon his eight years of experience working on similar projects for the likes of Samsung, Channel 4, Ministry of Sound and Universal.

Retail Week reports that Hilco has drafted in Coughlan, who was instrumental in developing Vodafone's digital music ...