BSkyB’s Head Of Advertising Sales To Step Down

BSkyB’s head of advertising sales, Mark Chippendale, is stepping down after fourteen years at the satellite broadcaster to pursue other interests.

News of the high-profile departure comes just months after former Five deputy chief executive, Nick Milligan, joined the company as managing director of Sky Media, a newly created position that effectively gave him seniority over Chippendale (see BSkyB Confirms Milligan To Oversee Advertising Sales Arm).

The reasons behind Chippendale’s resignation, which was announced to staff earlier today, remain unknown, but he gives up his role as director of sales after fourteen years of helping to develop Sky Media into a £312 million a year business.

Commenting on his departure, Dawn Airy, managing director of Sky Networks, said: “Mark has made an enormous contribution to Sky’s success and in particular to the sustained growth of its advertising sales operation. We thank him for all of his efforts over the last 14 years and we wish him well for the future.”

Chippendale joined Sky just two years after its launch in 1988 and was appointed director of sales in January 2003. During this time he has been instrumental in building the satellite broadcaster’s advertising sales business to its current level of 12% of television advertising revenues.

Over the last few years, he has also played a key role in the development of interactive television advertising and other non-spot opportunities. Most recently has represented Sky in talks with other broadcasters about the joint marketing of the television medium.

In the short term, Chippendale’s day to day responsibilities will be assumed by Milligan and other members of the advertising sales team. BSkyB has not yet decided whether to appoint a replacement, but a spokesman for the company said an announcement would be made in due course.

BSkyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com

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