Ex-Carlton sales chief quits restructured ITV

Former Carlton marketing director for sales Fran Cassidy is to leave ITV after failing to secure a place in the new marketing structure.

The last marketing role has been filled at ITV Sales, with Tamsin Denbigh taking the trade marketing position as head of sales customer communications. Denbigh reports to director of customer relationship management Justin Sampson, who was recruited from the Radio Advertising Bureau to spearhead ITV Sales’ drive to become more customer friendly earlier this year (MW January 8). Denbigh, who will be primarily responsible for enhancing relationships with advertisers, joined ITV Network Centre last year as acting head of customer communications. Prior to that she was marketing manager at Five with responsibility for consumer and trade marketing.

Sampson says: “This is a key appointment for the new ITV Sales. ITV has to find a way of communicating that is highly relevant and highly engaging for our advertiser and agency customer base.”

Cassidy, a well-known figure in marketing, is not thought to have applied for the role. She began her career at agency Valin Pollen and also worked at More O’Ferrall Adshel as marketing controller. It is not known whether Cassidy, who joined Carlton in 1992, has a job to go to. Cassidy’s opposite number at Granada Enterprises, marketing and research director Susan Read, has also quit ITV.