Andy Barnes steps down as Sales Director of Channel 4

1 April 2011

Andy Barnes, Sales Director

After almost 20 years of outstanding service Channel 4's highly respected Sales Director, Andy Barnes, is to step down from his role with the broadcaster.

Barnes is only the second Sales Director in the history of Channel 4 and has been in sole charge of Channel 4's airtime, sponsorship and online sales departments since 1997. In this time he has delivered over £12bn of sales revenue to the company.

He will leave the channel this summer and move to provide a wide range of consultancy services through his newly formed company as well as widening his non- executive portfolio. Channel 4 will be his first client.

Commenting on his departure Andy Barnes said: "I have had a fantastic time at Channel 4 and achieved some great results. I've also worked with some outstandingly bright people, both at the channel and in the agencies and clients we deal with, and they have all contributed to the success Channel 4 sales is today.

I think David's strategy for the future is spot on and I have no doubt he will be successful in implementing it. Now, however, I will observe it from afar as opposed to being instrumental in its origination and execution.

As you would expect after such a long time at one place my emotions are a mixture of exhilaration, trepidation and pride. If the next 20 years are only half as good as the previous 20 for both me and Channel 4, then I am confident we will both reach that point in the rudest of health!"

David Abraham, Channel 4 Chief Executive, added: "Andy Barnes has been an outstanding Sales Director at Channel 4 for nearly 20 years and I am the last in a long line of Chief Executives who owe him a great deal. His massive contribution has helped the channel to become what it is today and his shoes will be big ones to fill. I, along with a multitude of colleagues and peers, wish him the very best for the future and thank him for everything he has done."

Barnes began his career at Southern Television in 1979. He went on to work for its successor TVS where he became Deputy Sales Director before becoming Sales Director at Laser Sales, the joint sales house formed by TVS and LWT, in 1991. Later that year he was recruited to Channel 4 by Stewart Butterfield.

He was charged with devising and executing a whole new way of trading airtime which he did to immediate and great effect. Barnes has headed Channel 4's advertising sales operation since 1993, when the channel began selling its own airtime. Initially joining as Head of Sales and Deputy Director of Advertising Sales and Marketing, he became Commercial Director in 1997 when he also joined Channel 4's Board.

Under Barnes careful and innovative stewardship the channels share of net advertising revenue progressed steadily from 18% in 1993 to a record high of 24.8% last year.

Barnes is well known for his support of Arsenal and is a much loved and respected member of the television and advertising world. Michael Grade commented that he was "equally at home in the Boardroom and the Bar, a rare combination".

 

Notes to Editors

Channel 4's Sales Director Andy Barnes is responsible for developing the channel's airtime sales strategy and has a seat  on the Channel 4 Board

Barnes is Chairman of Thinkbox, the marketing body that represents all the commercial television companies and he also sits on the Board of BARB (Broadcasters' Audience Research Board) and is a member of the Advertising Association's Council