Niblock named MD of BBC.com

by Andrew McCormick, Media Week 06-Nov-07, 09:00

LONDON - BBC Worldwide has unveiled the ad sales team for BBC.com as the public broadcaster’s commercial arm prepares to carry ads on the site within the next fortnight.

Worldwide has handed Kym Niblock, formerly launch director at BBC Worldwide, the post of managing director of BBC.com.

The moves follow last month’s decision by the BBC Trust to approve the corporation’s plans to sell ads on the website. Niblock led the campaign for BBC.com to be able to sell ads and will now head a newly appointed BBC.com sales team that will attempt to exploit the BBC’s international traffic for ad revenue.

Other senior executives to be appointed to the sales team include Tom Bowman who joins as vice-president of international ad sales. Bowman was previously regional sales director at MSN International.

Meanwhile, Phu Truong has joined BBC.com as director of digital sales. Truong was previously director of international ad sales at Wall Street Journal Digital.

Bowman and Truong will run cross-platform ad sales for BBC Worldwide, including selling campaigns on BBC.com and its numerous TV channels, such as BBC Entertainment.
Worldwide’s move to carry advertising forms a key plank in its bid to generate 10% of its revenue from online activity within a few years.

Online revenues will also be increased through the launch of several new websites by BBC Worldwide. In recent weeks plans for a Top Gear-themed site and a major eco-site have been unveiled.