C4 Restructures Commercial Development Division

Channel 4 is restructuring its Commercial Development division in an attempt to strengthen its relationship with independent producers and generate new revenue streams.

The division, part of Channel 4’s commercial arm, 4 Ventures, is to be renamed Consumer Products and will continue to be overseen by Channel 4’s managing director of marketing, Polly Cochrane.

Cochrane said: “The Consumer Products division provides a commercial link between Channel 4 and the production community. I believe this structure will strengthen our offering, improve our interaction with producers and enable us to maximise revenue-earning opportunities.”

As a result of the restructure Mark Lesbirel, formerly controller of the Commercial Development division, will oversee the Consumer Products team, reporting directly to Cochrane. Rachel Barke, formerly manager of Commercial Development, has been promoted to the position of controller and, reporting to Lesbirel, will be responsible for delivering an integrated service to producers across all product areas.

Channel 4 also plans to recruit a new controller of business to find new revenue streams for the channel and its partner products.

The restructure follows Channel 4’s decision to cut 30 jobs and reduce its investment in 4 Ventures by 50% as a result of the advertising downturn (see Ad Downturn Claims Jobs At Channel 4). Around 15 jobs are expected to go at 4 Ventures and a significant number of unfilled vacancies will be closed as the channel budgets for a 20% reduction in non-programming costs.

Channel 4: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com

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