LONDON: Rupert Howell, UK adland's "ultimate suit", has crossed the Great Divide between the world of agencies and media to become managing director, ITV Brand and Commercial - a new position within the ailing broadcast giant.
His appointment, rumoured earlier this month, hands Howell responsibility for development of the ITV brand in all its forms and its commercial delivery. The broadcaster's current sales and marketing operations will report to him.
He, in turn, doff his cap to chief operating officer John Cresswell, who proclaimed the importance of the new position.
"We remain a business that is primarily advertising funded and Rupert's role in leading the teams that generate this revenue across all our businesses is absolutely crucial to our growth strategy."
Reciprocating, Howell could not resist a plug for his former glories.
"ITV has been intertwined with my advertising career both as a client and as the medium that carried most of my agency's most famous and successful work [such as] Maxell, Tango, First Direct, Ronseal, Pot Noodle and Egg."
Data sourced from multiple origins; additional content by WARC staff
