Yentob to step down from BBC day-to-day management

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 07-Jul-06, 13:00

LONDON - Alan Yentob is reportedly going to stand down from his day-to-day role as creative director at the BBC, as part of the corporation's imminent Creative Future restructuring programme.

Yentob is understood to be moving away from the management of the drama, entertainment and children programming to focus on his work as a presenter on BBC One arts programme 'Imagine'.

Yentob, who is a former controller of BBC One and BBC Two, has increasingly been involved with presenting work.

A BBC spokesperson described the reports as speculation, but added that a full announcement would be made on July 19 regarding its Creative Future strategy.

According to media reports, Yentob's current department is to merge into a larger production department called BBC Vision, with the current director of BBC television Jana Bennett listed as one of the favourites to head the department.

Previously, director-general Mark Thompson had warned that the corporation should no longer regard itself as broadcaster of TV and radio "with some new media on the side", but should prepare to fully embrace its responsibility to providing a public service catered towards the demands of an internet-savvy youth market.

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