ITV activates second phase of restructure

ITV has rolled out the second phase of the restructure of its commercial and online divisions as part of the company’s five year transformation plan.

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The transformation plan, introduced by CEO Adam Crozier last August shortly after his appointment, intends to diversify revenue streams by focusing more on digital and ensuring TV sales, multi-platform and partnerships become a seamless operation.

In the second phase of the plan, a new “multidiscipline” sales team has been created, responsible for selling ITV’s assets in broadcast and online.

The restructure also includes the formation of a new client activation team and a strategic engagement division.

Gary Knight, currently digital sales director, will take on a newly created role of commercial content director. He oversee the client activation team and will work with ITV’s online and broadcasting divisions to bring commercial and content closer to provide advertisers with more multiplatform offers.

Knight will report to Simon Daglish, ITV’s director of multiplatform and partnerships.

Two new sales director roles have been created, both responsible for the multi-platform sales team and generating revenue from agency groups including online and sponsorship. One of the roles will be held by Mark Trinder, while the other sales director has yet to be announced.

The restructure also sees the promotion of Ben Allen to trading director. He will report to Kelly Williams, ITV’s director of sales.

Managing director of ITV commercial and online, Fru Hazlitt, says: “Our transformation requires us to change how we service both our clients and agencies.

“We are rebalancing our teams to deliver multiplatform ideas and opportunities as well as trading air time – which clearly remains a valuable part of our business for the foreseeable future.”

Hazlitt adds that the new structure will also offer opportunities for ITV to bring on board new staff to help deliver its aim of listening and engaging with advertisers more effectively.

ITV overhauled its commercial and online divisions in January as part of the first phase of its transformation plan.