Rupert Howell, regional director and president of McCann-Erickson, is the latest figure to be linked with the role of ITV chief executive.
ITV’s finance director, John Cresswell, will act as interim chief executive until Zygos, the headhunter conducting the search for a replacement, is successful.
Other names in the frame for the top job include former head of regulatory watchdog Ofcom, Stephen Carter, head of regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press, Roger Parry and chief executive of Five, Jane Lighting.