BDB recruits brands chief

British Digital Broadcasting has appointed Marc Sands, marketing director at Granada UK Broadcasting, as head of brands marketing.

The move mirrors the appointment of John Hardie as marketing and commercial director at the Network Centre, and the increasing centralisation of the ITV brand.

BDB will be a 15-channel subscription service on a digital terrestrial platform, and is jointly owned by Carlton and Granada. It is expected to launch in November, with ads in the autumn devised by Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO.

Sands will report to executive director Anthony Sethill. He will have responsibility for the marketing of the BDB brand. His first task will be to establish the new service’s identity and he will be advised in this by Wolff Olins.

News Analysis, page 22