David Brennan will take on the new role of research and strategy director at television marketing body Thinkbox.
Brennan will start in September, leading a team of strategists and researchers to ensure the information and advice coming from the television body is authoritative and informative.
Brennan has 25 years experience in media research, marketing and content development. He joins Thinkbox from Associated News, where he was head of group strategic insight. As part of that position, he created the Associated Group’s first strategic insight department and undertook a number of research and market intelligence initiatives.
Prior to this, Brennan set up his own independent media consultancy in Australia, providing media research, marketing and interactive content development advice to a range of major broadcast and interactive media clients worldwide.
He has also worked on a number of pioneering projects for HTV, Yorkshire-Tyne Tees Television, ITV Network Centre and Flextech Telewest, including designing and implementing the research programme behind the BBC’s successful launch of UKTV.
Tess Alps, CEO of Thinkbox, said: “David is one of those rare gurus who is both visionary and creative, yet can get surprisingly enthusiastic about the intricacies of media research.
“He has impeccable credentials, can see the big picture and absolutely adores TV. In fact, the only dodgy thing about him is his curious taste in football teams. We are extremely lucky to have persuaded him to join Thinkbox and I can’t wait to start working with him again.”
Brennan added: “I have only been at Associated a short time, but have enjoyed it immensely. It was fantastic to work for a company that is having to embrace change after many years of stability and certainty, and working with Linda Grant and the team has been a rewarding experience.
“However, this is probably the only position within the media world for which I would have left such an exciting challenge; most of my career has been spent working in television and I love the medium with a passion. I’m really looking forward to joining the Thinkbox team, working with Tess again and getting involved in demonstrating the impact and effectiveness of commercial television.”