Channel 4 restructures commercial division

by Claire Billings,, Brand Republic 03-Dec-01, 15:00

LONDON - Channel 4 is restructuring its commercial development division in an attempt to help it work more closely with independent TV producers.

The division, part of the channel's commercial arm 4 Ventures, is to be renamed consumer products. The division continues to be headed up by Polly Cochrane, who was promoted from head of marketing to managing director of marketing at 4 Creative & Commercial Ventures in June this year when she returned from maternity leave.

Reporting to Cochrane will be Mark Lesbirel, formerly controller of commercial development. He will lead the consumer products team as head of consumer products.

Rachel Barke, previously manager of commercial development, is promoted to the position of controller of existing businesses. Barke will report to Lesbirel.

A new controller of business development is to be recruited shortly.

Cochrane said: "The consumer products division provides a vital commercial link between Channel 4 and the production community. I believe this restructure will strengthen our offering, improve our interaction with producers and enable us to maximise revenue-earning opportunities."

The restructuring follows last month's announcement that Channel 4 is seeking 80 redundancies and halving investment in 4 Ventures as part of cost-cutting measures forced on it by the advertising downturn.

The redundancies will comprise 15 jobs from Channel 4 and 15 staff from 4 Ventures. The remaining 50 will be found through the non-renewal of short-term contracts and the closure of unfulfilled posts.

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