Emap On Air is looking to launch a television sales division in as
it prepares to expand into the TV market.
Emap has only one TV channel in its existing portfolio, the youth and
music station The Box, which is sold by Carlton Digital Sales. That
contract has just been extended for another year.
But Emap also announced last week that it has appointed a head of
television sales - the first time such a position has ever existed
within the company’s ranks - and it is believed the group is
concentrating on acquiring other TV channels.
Nick Downes, who steps into the head of TV sales role, was previously an
account manager at Emap On Air radio sales, but was trained at Yorkshire
Television and has been charged with finding new business in the TV
broadcast arena, as well as looking after The Box.
Downes will also recruit sales people for his team. Their initial role
will be to work on sponsorship and promotion deals on The Box.
According to a company insider, Emap is interested in TV channels in
youth and ’middle-youth’ entertainment lifestyle channels, both of which
would fit with the group’s existing brands. ’Emap has a reputation of
selling its own products and if we sell more television, it’s reasonable
to assume that the business will be done in-house,’ the source said.
’Emap has a policy of developing ideas that can be brand linked across
all our media - radio, magazine, online and eventually more television,’
said Downes.
Tom Toumazis, managing director at Emap On Air, said, ’Nick will oversee
our relationship with Carlton Digital Sales, which sells our advertising
at present. He will be working full time in this area for the time
being.’
The Box - which was launched in March 1992 and is described as a
’24-hour video music channel’ - is carried on NTL, Cable & Wireless,
Telewest and Sky Digital.
