What does it do? The sales team is split between selling news
content to third-party providers and selling advertising and sponsorship
for its portfolio of news and information websites: ITN Online,
Euronews, News Direct and LBC.
Good offices? A stunning glass building designed by Sir Norman
Foster.
The main ITN newsroom is just across the corridor, so sales people are
in the front line for breaking news stories. The site is close to
Clerkenwell, an area packed with sandwich shops and bars. Just as well,
as the ITN staff canteen is ’a waste of space’.
What’s it like? They only employ extremely good-looking people (or so
they say). Sales staff must be prepared to work hard and schmooze
harder. ’Press the flesh and swap those cards,’ is the motto drilled
into newcomers. There are lunches galore and plenty of glittering
new-media functions, so you need stamina.
What about perks? A pension scheme, private healthcare and five weeks
holiday are all part of the package. ITN offers 39 weeks maternity leave
and ten days paternity leave. The fully equipped gym is a good place to
get chummy with ITN’s chief executive Stewart Purvis, who works out
every day.
Staff often find themselves queuing for coffee behind the likes of
Trevor MacDonald and Julia Somerville. It’s also a great place for
spotting world leaders, ’I saw Desmond Tutu and John Major strolling
down the corridor deep in conversation,’ claims one member of staff.
Is it good at training? Newcomers get an introduction to ITN through
tours, workshops, presentations and briefings with departmental
heads.
How does it recruit? Jobs are advertised in the papers and the
specialist trade press, but word of mouth is also important. ITN rarely
uses agencies.
How do you get ahead? By suddenly getting a burning desire to read the
news, going to the gym or timing your coffee breaks well.
