Five Replaces Milligan With Two Internal Promotions
Five has announced two senior appointments in a bid to replace defecting sales director, Nick Milligan, who is leaving to become managing director of BSkyB’s advertising sales operation.
Mark White and Kelly Williams have both been promoted from within Five’s existing sales team and will now sit on the broadcaster’s board of directors. White, formerly Milligan’s second in command, moves up to become executive director of sales reporting to Five’s chief executive, Jane Lighting. Williams has been appointed sales director and will report directly to White.
Both White and Williams jointed Five in 1996, ahead of its launch as Channel 5 in 1997. As part of the original launch team they have been responsible for ensuring the channel’s advertising space was fully sold from day one.
Commenting on the appointments, Jane Lighting said: “We are delighted to be able to promote, from within, two such capable and respected executives as Mark and Kelly who have made a huge contribution to our sales performance over the past eight years.”
She added: “Nick Milligan will be missed by us all, but we are confident that under the leadership of Mark and Kelly our outstanding sales team will continue to outperform the market and drive our business forward.”
Earleir this month BSkyB confirmed that Milligan had been appointed to take up a newly created role of managing director of its advertising sales operation. He will lead Sky Media’s strategic development as the satellite broadcaster looks at ways to increase its advertising revenue (see BSkyB Confirms Milligan To Oversee Advertising Sales Arm).
Speculation of his move was rife following Dawn Airey’s resignation as Five’s chief executive to join BSkyB as managing director of Sky Networks in September 2002. However, it is understood that a clause in Airey’s contract prevented her from poaching staff from Five for at least a year (see Airey’s Departure Represents Coup For BSkyB).
It has been a successful year for Five with revenue increasing by 13.2% year on year to over £18.5 million. The channel has seen a return on its heavy investment in science and drama programming with Home and Away, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Law And Order proving ratings winners.
Earlier this month rumours of exploratory merger talks between Channel 4 and Five were confirmed with the possibility of a full merger of the two commercial broadcasters now being discussed (see Channel 4 Confirms Merger Discussions With Five).
Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv
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