Carlton Active Closes To Make Way For New ITV Division
The creation of a single ITV moved a step closer today with news that Carlton’s interactive TV division, Carlton Active, is being shut down to make way for a new division called ITV Interactive.
The new ITV Interactive division will manage interactive advertising, content and marketing, but production will no longer be managed in house, as it was under Carlton Active.
Carlton Active’s 26 staff have been invited to apply for jobs at the new division, but fewer positions will be available due to the lack of production opportunities. The closure will not affect the four sales staff, who will join Carlton’s TV airtime sales operation in the early summer.
Speculation suggests that Jane Marshall, chief executive of Carlton Active, will be appointed to the top post at ITV Interactive. However, it is expected that she will face competition from Justin Judd, controller of Granada Sport & Interactive, who has also been linked to the position.
The creation of ITV Interactive is being seen as a sign that Carlton and Granada are taking the first steps towards the creation of a single ITV company. The proposed £2.6 billion merger was referred to the Competition Commission last week on the grounds that it could reduce competition in the market for TV airtime sales (see ITV Merger To Be Investigated By Competition Commission).
Carlton Active was set up to create and broadcast interactive programmes across ITV’s digital satellite, digital cable and digital terrestrial channels. It was also responsible for creating and selling interactive advertising on the ITV Network.
Carlton: 020 7663 6363 www.carlton.com
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