ITV hires Forde for online and on-demand

UK broadcaster ITV has named Steve Forde as director of marketing and experience, ITV Online and On Demand.

Forde has worked as Channel 4’s head of viewer relationship management for the last four years. He will take up his post later this year, reporting to Paul Kanareck, director of online and brands, and Rufus Radcliffe, group marketing and research director.

Forde will be focused on driving the ITV Player proposition to both audiences and advertisers with a remit ranging from audience engagement and CRM to innovation and design.

Kanareck said: “Available on over 20 platforms, the ITV Player is now one of the largest and fastest growing VOD services in the UK and we have a tremendous opportunity to offer our massive TV audiences an even better and intuitive way to enjoy their favourite shows when they want. We have a hugely exciting year ahead in ITV Online and On Demand, and I know Steve has an important role to play in its strategy and development.”

Forde added: “I am really excited to be joining ITV Online which has seen incredible success in recent years. I had ten great years at Channel 4, particularly the last four delivering the relationship strategy in Gill Whitehead’s team.”