Thinkbox’s Neil Mortensen returns to ITV

Neil Mortensen has been reappointed by ITV as director of planning after spending the last three years at Thinkbox, the UK’s marketing body for commercial TV.

Mortensen first joined ITV in 1998 where he worked for eight years before moving to Opera OMG UK. Thinkbox hired Mortensen in 2011 as director of research and planning, where he was responsible for exploring TV viewing habits.

In his new role, Mortensen is expected to develop ITV’s insight and analytics capabilities. He replaces Daniel Cook who stepped down in March and will report to the broadcaster’s group marketing and research director Rufus Radcliffe.

Commenting on the move, Mortensen said: “I’ve had a fantastic three years working with the brilliant team at Thinkbox, and I’m very excited to be joining ITV. I couldn’t turn down this huge opportunity to play a part in ITV’s future.”

Radcliffe added: “Neil has an outstanding track record as a researcher, both at agencies and media owners. He has done a brilliant job at Thinkbox over the past three years and we are thrilled that he is coming back to ITV.”