Thinkbox Appoints Justin Sampson Chairman

TV marketing body, Thinkbox, has announced the appointment of ITV’s director of customer relationship marketing, Justin Sampson, as its first chairman.

Sampson will take up the role from 1 November, having been appointed by the Thinkbox Board to act as lead ambassador for the organisation, representing Channel 4, five, GMTV, Turner Broadcasting, ITV, Sky, ids and Viacom.

The new role will see Sampson play a central role in Thinkbox’s promotion, representing the marketing body’s member broadcasters across a full timetable of marketing activity intended to help customers get more out of TV. In addition, Sampson will help to facilitate Thinkbox’s transition to a stand-alone executive during 2006.

Commenting on his appointment, Sampson said: “All eight Thinkbox member companies share a common agenda – to ensure that television remains at the very heart of marketing thinking. Rumours of the death of the TV ad are greatly exaggerated. TV continues to engage and inspire viewers and it continues to deliver a relevance and value that are hard to match.

“In today’s more competitive environment, Thinkbox is committed to bringing to life the benefits of a medium which has more to offer than ever before. I look forward to helping steer Thinkbox through the next phase of its evolution.”

Sampson will maintain his role with Thinkbox alongside his responsibilities as ITV’s director of customer relationship marketing.

Earlier this month saw Thinkbox bolstering its board with the appointment of several high-profile media figures. Sampson, managing director of Sky Media Nick Milligan and James Wildman, executive sales director at ids all signed on to lend their expertise to the organisation, along with Simon Cox, vice president of UK advertising sales, sponsorships and promotions at Turner (see Thinkbox Bolsters Board With Senior Appointments).

Thinkbox: www.thinkbox.tv