Channel 4 Appoints New Commercial Head Of Interactive
Channel 4 has reaffirmed its commitment to interactive programming with the appointment of Andy Taylor as commercial head of its 4 Interactive division.
Taylor joins from Endemol’s interactive division, Victoria Real, where he was managing director. His new role will see him take on responsibility for developing new commercial and creative opportunities across Channel 4’s interactive unit.
He will report directly to Anmar Kawash, deputy commercial director of Channel 4, who said: Andy will play a pivotal role in recognising and developing commercial opportunities that could work across all Channel 4’s properties and expand the businesses within the 4 Ventures portfolio.”
Channel 4 is set to launch the fourth series of Big Brother later this month and has announced plans to increase the interactive applications surrounding the show. The new series will rely heavily on programme tie-ins and interactivity through MMS, SMS and mobile internet services (see 02 To Sponsor Big Brother With Enhanced Interactivity).
2002 was a difficult year for 4 Ventures, which cut its staff by 30% and folded the film production arm of its FilmFour channel in an attempt to reduce losses (see Channel 4 Plans New Launch As 4 Ventures Cuts Losses).
However, Channel 4 recently returned to profit and announced that it achieved largest ever share of terrestrial advertising revenue in 2002, as peak-time viewing rose to the highest level in its 20 year history (see Channel 4 Returns To Profit After Heavy Losses).
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com
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