Current poaches Bauer digital director

by Ben Bold, Brand Republic 24-Apr-08, 10:25

LONDON - Current Media, the TV network founded by former US vice president turned eco-warrior Al Gore, has poached the executive behind the launch of Heatworld.com to head up new media in the UK.

Rebekah Billingsley joins Current in the new role of director of new media in the UK, reporting to Joanna Drake, Current's president of new media.

Billingsley was digital business director at Emap, the consumer magazines business bought by Bauer earlier this year. Before the acquisition, she oversaw the launch of Closer magazine online and Heatworld.com.

Before joining Emap 18 months ago, Billingsley spent five years at Times Online as business development manager and was responsible for extending The Times and The Sunday Times brands online.

Drake said: "I am delighted that Rebekah comes with such breadth and depth of experience. She will help Current to forge ahead in the UK market with our unique user-generated content proposition to emulate the successes we have seen in the US. I look forward to working with her to take advantage of the continued growth of the UK web landscape."

Billingsley said: "This is a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to working with the Current team. The company is based on an excellent philosophy, has achieved a great deal in its first year and I'm excited to be able to build on its early success."

Earlier this month, Current signed an exclusive content deal with Bristol band Portishead, giving the TV channel rights to broadcast interviews and music from the band's new album 'Third'.