Parkinson has headed marketing at Chrysalis since 1999 and has been managing director at Heart since 2001. He resigned on Friday and it is understood he has yet to come to an arrangement with Chrysalis over when he will join Emap.
His achievements include taking Heart to the number-one position in London in October 2003, relaunching the LBC brand in London, and launching the Galaxy dance music radio brand in five regions outside London.
The role of national brand director is a new one within Emap and has been created to encompass development of all its national radio brands -- Kiss, Magic, Kerrang!, Q, Smash Hits, The Hits, Heat and Mojo. Parkinson will report to Shaun Gregory, Emap Performance's managing director of national radio brands.
Parkinson, who has been at Chrysalis for 10 years, said: "It's time to get my teeth into a new set of brands, which have real growth potential both nationally and in the fiercely competitive London market."
One of his final decisions at Chrysalis was to axe Heart breakfast DJ Jono Coleman and bring in Jamie Theakston, who started this weekend.
Parkinson's replacement as Heart managing director will be expected to regain the impetus of 2003 and at least put Heart back into second place ahead of surprise challenger Magic.
Gregory said: "Emap's radio strategy is to harness unrivalled strong brands, distribution and content to deliver audience and revenue growth. Steve's experience will be invaluable in helping us deliver this."
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