OMD UK MD Allan becomes sales director for Channel 4
Jonathan Allan, managing director of OMD UK, is to join the Channel 4 board having been appointed as sales director.
Allan will replace Andy Barnes who left last week after 20 years at the broadcaster, and will be responsible for delivering around £1bn in revenue while heading up the overall sales team of 200 across its differing departments.
Allan joined OMD UK in 1995 as a graduate TV buyer and was appointed business director in 2000, and promoted again in 2005 to deputy managing director. Two years on he was made managing director.
David Abraham, chief executive of Channel 4 said: "Jonathan is an outstanding leader with enormous potential and I am delighted to be welcoming him to the Channel 4 executive team in the role of Sales Director. He has achieved an impressive amount in his career to date, and has considerable client facing skills, as well as a track record in digital innovation. This is a crucial role at the heart of Channel 4's future strategy, and I am confident he will rise to the challenge. "
Allan added: "I have worked with Channel 4 as both client and media partner for many years, so I am extremely excited to be given the opportunity to shape and direct the sales team to maximise its revenue potential. I've had a fantastic career with brilliant people at OMD UK, but I could not resist the opportunity that this role, brand and institution represents."