ITV Names Paul Dale To New CTO Post
“ITV (LSE: ITV) has appointed Paul Dale, a former BSkyB (NYSE: BSY) and BBC senior executive, to a newly created role to address the technology “lag” that has dogged the broadcaster in recent years compared with advances made by rivals. Dale, who is currently the chief technology officer at Asian pay-TV operator Astro, joins ITV in the same position. ITV’s chief executive Adam Crozier said that hiring Dale represented a “commitment to... [Read More...]
ITV Marketing Director Leaves
“ITV is reportedly searching for a new group marketing director after David Pemsel confirmed his intention to leave the broadcaster after five years. Pemsel, who previously reported to ITV’s outgoing managing director of brand and commercial Rupert Howell, was told last week that ITV’s director of television Peter Fincham will take over the broadcaster’s marketing and research budget. Chad Wollen, ITV’s director research... [Read More...]
ITV’s head of online to leave ahead of commercial restructuring
ITV’s director of online and interactive, Ben McOwen Wilson, is leaving this summer following the broadcaster’s plans to restructure its online and commercial business. Rupert Howell, MD of brand and commercial, is also leaving. Former Yahoo and Virgin Radio executive Fru Hazlitt will replace him as MD of commercial and online. She will join on 2 August and be responsible for uniting ITV’s airtime sales and online businesses. McOwen Wilson took... [Read More...]
Five announces its role in Project Canvas
Broadcaster Five has appointed digital product development company Capablue to work with them on Project Canvas, the much-anticipated new online video platform for UK broadcasters. Set to launch ‘mid 2010’, Project Canvas will enable viewers to watch programmes and listen to digital radio channels through their TV via a special set top box connected to an existing broadband internet connection. The partnership between the BBC, Five, ITV, Channel... [Read More...]
Kevin Lygo to leave Channel 4 to lead ITV Studios
Kevin Lygo, director of television and content at Channel 4, is to join ITV to lead its production arm ITV Studios in Adam Crozier’s first high-profile appointment since he joined the broadcaster last week. Lygo joins as managing director of ITV Studios and will work with Peter Fincham, director of television, channels and online. Lee Bartlett, formerly managing director of ITV Studios, will continue to oversee ITV Studio’s international... [Read More...]
Crozier joins ITV with a full in-tray
Former Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier started his first day at ITV’s 200 Gray’s Inn Road office this morning, but he finds himself with a full agenda and amid a strategic company review. Consultancy firm LEK Consulting were called by ITV’s chairman Archie Norman in the first quarter to undertake a full review of the business. Upon his arrival in January, Norman told staff the broadcaster “cannot remain as it is”... [Read More...]
ITV builds interaction for Britain’s Got Talent around own website
ITV has stepped up social media engagement as part of its online campaign for this year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent, but has reiterated its stance that it won’t sign revenue deals with YouTube. The broadcaster is positioning ITV.com as the hub for all digital activity, with an overhaul of its Britain’s Got Talent site allowing fans to interact with the judges as well as each other in more depth. However, ITV still refuses to sign any... [Read More...]
ITV creates social media platform for top shows
ITV has created a social media platform to encourage viewers to interact with some of its flagship programmes, including ‘This Morning’, ‘Loose Women’ and ‘Coronation Street’. From this month, viewers of some of the broadcasters most popular shows can engage with one another before, during and after programmes are shown. ITV viewers will also be able to use the social media platform by Demand Media in its football... [Read More...]
ITV should consider paid-for VOD, says commercial MD
ITV needs to look at a paid-for model for video on demand, according to its MD of brand and commercial Rupert Howell. Speaking at the ISBA Annual Conference 2010, he said the unreliable nature of advertising meant the broadcaster has to investigate a paid-for model for its VOD service. “We have no fit-for-purpose paid process, which we have to look at because we can’t rely on the vicissitude of advertising,” said Howell. Nigel Walley, MD of... [Read More...]
X Factor invites applications via online video
ITV is to let X Factor hopefuls upload videos as part of their audition applications for the first time. This is the first time in the programme’s seven-year history that auditionees can include video of their performance alongside a written application. It remains, however, an optional part of the audition process. Last year, digital activity around The X Factor was ramped up to include a paid-for karaoke site and interactive features including... [Read More...]