TSMS md Sanders quits ahead of corporate rejig

David Sanders, managing director of TSMS Services, has left the company in advance of a corporate restructure and operational review.

Sanders’ departure is “by mutual agreement and with immediate effect”, the company says. In a brief statement, TSMS chief executive Tim Wootton expressed sadness at Sanders’ departure.

A corporate restructuring of TSMS is expected to create a new management structure which will place greater emphasis on new technology.

The company’s administration and management of airtime sales has come under fire from agencies and TV buying departments over the past few months.

TSMS, which is owned by MAI, currently operates an airtime sales division with contracts for broadcasters including HTV, STV and Meridian, as well as BBC World which it handles in partnership with continental sales company IP.

It also runs a services divi-sion whose activities include programme research and evaluation – it conducts post-transmission research into all ITV Network commissions – as well as sales and other strategic consultancy services for international broadcasters.

Neither Sanders nor Wootton were available for comment at press-time.