The multichannel broadcaster UKTV has appointed Simon Michaelides as its chief commercial offer (CCO), to head up a newly expanded team.
Sitting on the executive board and reporting to the chief executive, he will be responsible for UKTV’s commercial strategy and implementation, with accountability for all linear and non-linear pay-TV platforms, UKTV’s VOD businesses, international programme sales, new business development and all external commercial relationships.
Michaelides will be tasked with increasing the distribution of UKTV products and accelerating the commercial impact of UKTV’s VOD services, including its own offering, UKTV Play.
Meanwhile, Jill O’Brien, digital strategy expert, former director of digital for Ireland’s TV3 group, has already been hired as UKTV’s commercial director for the expanded team. Two new heads of distribution are currently being recruited, while Emma Boston has been appointed as general manager for VOD and Meredith Coral’s role has been extended to include international programme sales, alongside new business innovation.
Separately, Zoe Clapp has been promoted to chief marketing and communications officer. She is tasked with leading an 85-strong team, working closely with controller, Emma Tennant. In addition to her prior remit overseeing Communications, she will also take responsibility for UKTV’s Creative, Digital, Marketing and Media departments.
Commenting on Michaelides’s appointment, Darren Childs, UKTV CEO, said: “Simon’s strategic approach to brand and content marketing has driven awareness of UKTV’s channels and its programmes; helping position us as the third largest commercial broadcaster in Britain. His knowledge of our business and marketplace, and his relationships with our highly-valued affiliate partners, positions him perfectly to lead our expert commercial team, which is being expanded to support UKTV’s further growth.”
Michaelides added: “I’m delighted and honoured to take on the commercial responsibilities at UKTV as CCO. It marks an exciting inflection point in the life of the company: after five consecutive years of market defying growth, it’s about step-changing our commercial approach to consolidate the gains we’ve made and build for the future; cementing partnerships new and old, and innovating to maintain a winning formula in an increasingly unpredictable market.”
