ITV Network Centre hires new media chief

The ITV Network Centre has hired a new media manager to expand ITV’s Internet interests and use of digital text services.

Alex Hughes, who previously worked for new media design agency Deep End, joins ITV on December 13. He will report to head of marketing Sam Carter.

Compared with the BBC, which runs BBC Online – the most visited Website in Europe – and commercial Net venture beeb.com, ITV’s Net investment has been small.

The Network Centre is limited by the separate agendas of its shareholders, which have made their own investments in new media to exploit programme content.

ITV marketing and commercial director John Hardie says: “ITV is a strong brand name and we have the potential to be more ambitious at leveraging that reputation online.”

Apart from its own Website, ITV has set up partnerships to create sites for Formula One and rugby. Hughes will develop more of these, and explore e-commerce possibilities. He will also develop digital text services.