RAB’s Sampson takes ITV Sales CRM post

Radio Advertising Bureau managing director Justin Sampson has been appointed by ITV Sales – the sales house for the merged Carlton and Granada. He takes up a new position designed to make the organisation more customer-focused.

Sampson, who has been credited with making radio more attractive to advertisers as a medium, has fought off intense competition from ITV insiders, thought to have included Carlton Media Sales marketing director Fran Cassidy, as well as a number of outside applicants, for the post of director of customer relationship management.

His appointment completes the management team at ITV Sales, headed by managing director Graham Duff.

Sampson’s appointment follows criticism by advertisers and media agencies that Carlton and Granada sales houses have not been customer-focused and not sold television as a medium along with other broadcasters to advertisers.

Sampson, who has spent 12 years at the RAB marketing radio as a medium, says: “This is an excellent opportunity to recalibrate the relationship that ITV has with advertisers and to make ITV a business that has customers’ interests at the heart of its modus operandi. It is also a chance to take brand-leader responsibility in working with other TV companies to promote the power of television as a communications channel.”

Sampson will have responsibility for ensuring that the customer is put at the heart of all aspects of ITV Sales, from the client-facing sales team and business-to-business arm to trade marketing.