BBC Worldwide hires Baxter to head commercial policy

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 21-Sep-06, 11:00

LONDON - BBC Worldwide has named Andrew Baxter, the former deputy head of commercial affairs at Channel 4, as head of commercial policy.

Baxter, who takes up the post in December, will be tasked with overseeing BBC Worldwide's seven global businesses, ensuring it operates its commercial activities efficiently and in line with the BBC Royal Charter.

He will also aid BBC Worldwide's future commercial policy development and work alongside the BBC Trust and the corporation's legal and policy management teams.

Sarah Cooper, BBC director of business affairs, said: "Our strategy includes building some important commercial digital opportunities for our parent and for the UK licence fee payer in what is a fast-changing media landscape."

Prior to joining BBC Worldwide, Baxter was head of legal affairs at the Producers Rights Agency in the late nineties, and deputy head of commercial affairs at Channel 4 from 1999 to 2005.

In the last year, he has been working on commercial and legal projects for Viacom and acting as director of commerical affairs for Paramount Comedy.

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