Channel 4 and Group M agree new trading arrangement

Sir Martin Sorrell’s advertising clients are heading back to Channel 4 after both sides reached a deal today.

Group M, the media buying arm of Sorrell’s WPP – who spend around £250 million each year with Channel 4 – had pulled all ads since 1 January to get a better deal for their clients.

Rivals were already starting to see some short-term benefit after Group M temporarily moved its booking over to BskyB, ITV and Channel 5. However, in a joint statement on Thursday, Jonathan Allan, Channel 4’s Director of Sales and Mark Collins, Group M Managing Director of Broadcast Trading, said:

“Negotiations are necessarily long and complex when two major media companies want to agree commercial terms in a complex and fast moving environment, but we were both very focused on getting things right for all parties.

“We look forward to building on our strong relationship and working together closely to deliver business and marketing success for all our mutual clients.”