Andy Duncan appointed Channel 4 Chief Executive

1 July 2004

Andy Duncan, Chief Executive

Architect of Freeview to guide channel's digital strategy

Channel 4 today announces the appointment of Andy Duncan as its new Chief Executive.

Duncan, who is currently Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences at the BBC, will take up his new post at Channel 4 as soon as possible.

In his current role, he was one of the co-architects of Freeview and is widely credited with the successful launch and roll-out of the free-to-air digital terrestrial platform, which is a joint venture between the BBC, BSkyB and Crown Castle. Freeview is available in 4 million homes just 20 months after its launch, making it one of the quickest selling consumer technology products of all time.

Luke Johnson, Channel 4's chairman, said: "Andy is the brightest media executive of the Channel 4 generation and I think he's going to be a great champion of Channel 4's public service mission and its unique brand of creativity.

"He must take much of the credit for Freeview's astonishing success and he's also been integrally involved in a broad range of the BBC's key issues in the last three years, including digital strategy and switchover, brand strategy and the BBC's Charter Renewal communications. He combines genuine public service credentials with a strategic understanding of how digital media is developing that will prove vital in negotiating the way ahead for Channel 4.

"Having a brand specialist like Andy at the helm will offer us a competitive advantage in such a noisy and over-crowded marketplace. His skills will be very complementary to Kevin Lygo and the rest of Channel 4's management team."

Duncan added: "I've been a great admirer of Channel 4 for a long time and I feel very proud to be asked to lead this vibrant and vital cultural institution at such an interesting stage in its development.

"All broadcasters are under pressure from the growth of digital TV, but I believe Channel 4 can face the future with confidence. Public demand for innovation and originality in television has never been higher and Channel 4, with its fantastic track record of delivery and its unique identity and remit, is best placed to satisfy that demand."

Duncan will take over at a time when Channel 4 is enjoying one of its best periods in recent years, both commercially and critically. In the first six months of 2004, Channel 4 has experienced a 4% year-on-year increase in audience share and its peak-time audiences are running at a record level of 9.7%. Over the same period, Channel 4's shares of valuable 16-34 and ABC1 audiences are up 6% and 8% year-on-year respectively.

The channel is forecasting an increase in advertising revenue in 2004 thanks to a range of acclaimed programming including Shameless, Brat Camp, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Grand Designs and a string of documentary hits including The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off.   

Andy Duncan biography

Andy Duncan became BBC Director of Marketing & Communications in the summer of 2001, adding Audiences to his title in July 2003 to better reflect the work of his division across marketing, press and publicity, customer services and audience research.

He is Chairman of digital terrestrial platform Freeview and a member of the BBC's Executive Board, as well as its new Creative and Commercial boards.

During his time at the BBC he has overseen the launch of a broad array of new digital services including BBC3, BBC4, CBBC, CBeebies and new digital radio services 1Xtra, 6Music, BBC7, 5LiveSports Extra and the BBC Asian Network.

He has extensive experience in marketing and general management having joined the BBC from Unilever, where he was European Category Director for the Food and Beverages Division, building many top household brands including Flora, Olivio, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, PG Tips and Batchelors Supernoodles.

He joined Unilever in 1984 and over the next 17 years worked his way up through several of the food and consumer giant's major divisions.

He studied at UMIST in Manchester, where he gained a BSc in Management Sciences. Andy Duncan is 41.

Notes to Editors

1.      Andy Duncan replaces Mark Thompson, who left Channel 4 in June to return to the BBC as its new Director General.

He becomes Channel 4's fifth Chief Executive. His predecessors were: Mark Thompson (2002-2004), Michael Jackson (1997-2001), Michael Grade (1988-1997) and Jeremy Isaacs (1982-1987).

Andy Duncan, Chief Executive

Architect of Freeview to guide channel's digital strategy

Channel 4 today announces the appointment of Andy Duncan as its new Chief Executive.

Duncan, who is currently Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences at the BBC, will take up his new post at Channel 4 as soon as possible.

In his current role, he was one of the co-architects of Freeview and is widely credited with the successful launch and roll-out of the free-to-air digital terrestrial platform, which is a joint venture between the BBC, BSkyB and Crown Castle. Freeview is available in 4 million homes just 20 months after its launch, making it one of the quickest selling consumer technology products of all time.

Luke Johnson, Channel 4's chairman, said: "Andy is the brightest media executive of the Channel 4 generation and I think he's going to be a great champion of Channel 4's public service mission and its unique brand of creativity.

"He must take much of the credit for Freeview's astonishing success and he's also been integrally involved in a broad range of the BBC's key issues in the last three years, including digital strategy and switchover, brand strategy and the BBC's Charter Renewal communications. He combines genuine public service credentials with a strategic understanding of how digital media is developing that will prove vital in negotiating the way ahead for Channel 4.

"Having a brand specialist like Andy at the helm will offer us a competitive advantage in such a noisy and over-crowded marketplace. His skills will be very complementary to Kevin Lygo and the rest of Channel 4's management team."

Duncan added: "I've been a great admirer of Channel 4 for a long time and I feel very proud to be asked to lead this vibrant and vital cultural institution at such an interesting stage in its development.

"All broadcasters are under pressure from the growth of digital TV, but I believe Channel 4 can face the future with confidence. Public demand for innovation and originality in television has never been higher and Channel 4, with its fantastic track record of delivery and its unique identity and remit, is best placed to satisfy that demand."

Duncan will take over at a time when Channel 4 is enjoying one of its best periods in recent years, both commercially and critically. In the first six months of 2004, Channel 4 has experienced a 4% year-on-year increase in audience share and its peak-time audiences are running at a record level of 9.7%. Over the same period, Channel 4's shares of valuable 16-34 and ABC1 audiences are up 6% and 8% year-on-year respectively.

The channel is forecasting an increase in advertising revenue in 2004 thanks to a range of acclaimed programming including Shameless, Brat Camp, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Grand Designs and a string of documentary hits including The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off.   

Andy Duncan biography

Andy Duncan became BBC Director of Marketing & Communications in the summer of 2001, adding Audiences to his title in July 2003 to better reflect the work of his division across marketing, press and publicity, customer services and audience research.

He is Chairman of digital terrestrial platform Freeview and a member of the BBC's Executive Board, as well as its new Creative and Commercial boards.

During his time at the BBC he has overseen the launch of a broad array of new digital services including BBC3, BBC4, CBBC, CBeebies and new digital radio services 1Xtra, 6Music, BBC7, 5LiveSports Extra and the BBC Asian Network.

He has extensive experience in marketing and general management having joined the BBC from Unilever, where he was European Category Director for the Food and Beverages Division, building many top household brands including Flora, Olivio, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, PG Tips and Batchelors Supernoodles.

He joined Unilever in 1984 and over the next 17 years worked his way up through several of the food and consumer giant's major divisions.

He studied at UMIST in Manchester, where he gained a BSc in Management Sciences. Andy Duncan is 41.

Notes to Editors

1.      Andy Duncan replaces Mark Thompson, who left Channel 4 in June to return to the BBC as its new Director General.

He becomes Channel 4's fifth Chief Executive. His predecessors were: Mark Thompson (2002-2004), Michael Jackson (1997-2001), Michael Grade (1988-1997) and Jeremy Isaacs (1982-1987).

Andy Duncan, Chief Executive

Architect of Freeview to guide channel's digital strategy

Channel 4 today announces the appointment of Andy Duncan as its new Chief Executive.

Duncan, who is currently Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences at the BBC, will take up his new post at Channel 4 as soon as possible.

In his current role, he was one of the co-architects of Freeview and is widely credited with the successful launch and roll-out of the free-to-air digital terrestrial platform, which is a joint venture between the BBC, BSkyB and Crown Castle. Freeview is available in 4 million homes just 20 months after its launch, making it one of the quickest selling consumer technology products of all time.

Luke Johnson, Channel 4's chairman, said: "Andy is the brightest media executive of the Channel 4 generation and I think he's going to be a great champion of Channel 4's public service mission and its unique brand of creativity.

"He must take much of the credit for Freeview's astonishing success and he's also been integrally involved in a broad range of the BBC's key issues in the last three years, including digital strategy and switchover, brand strategy and the BBC's Charter Renewal communications. He combines genuine public service credentials with a strategic understanding of how digital media is developing that will prove vital in negotiating the way ahead for Channel 4.

"Having a brand specialist like Andy at the helm will offer us a competitive advantage in such a noisy and over-crowded marketplace. His skills will be very complementary to Kevin Lygo and the rest of Channel 4's management team."

Duncan added: "I've been a great admirer of Channel 4 for a long time and I feel very proud to be asked to lead this vibrant and vital cultural institution at such an interesting stage in its development.

"All broadcasters are under pressure from the growth of digital TV, but I believe Channel 4 can face the future with confidence. Public demand for innovation and originality in television has never been higher and Channel 4, with its fantastic track record of delivery and its unique identity and remit, is best placed to satisfy that demand."

Duncan will take over at a time when Channel 4 is enjoying one of its best periods in recent years, both commercially and critically. In the first six months of 2004, Channel 4 has experienced a 4% year-on-year increase in audience share and its peak-time audiences are running at a record level of 9.7%. Over the same period, Channel 4's shares of valuable 16-34 and ABC1 audiences are up 6% and 8% year-on-year respectively.

The channel is forecasting an increase in advertising revenue in 2004 thanks to a range of acclaimed programming including Shameless, Brat Camp, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Grand Designs and a string of documentary hits including The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off.   

Andy Duncan biography

Andy Duncan became BBC Director of Marketing & Communications in the summer of 2001, adding Audiences to his title in July 2003 to better reflect the work of his division across marketing, press and publicity, customer services and audience research.

He is Chairman of digital terrestrial platform Freeview and a member of the BBC's Executive Board, as well as its new Creative and Commercial boards.

During his time at the BBC he has overseen the launch of a broad array of new digital services including BBC3, BBC4, CBBC, CBeebies and new digital radio services 1Xtra, 6Music, BBC7, 5LiveSports Extra and the BBC Asian Network.

He has extensive experience in marketing and general management having joined the BBC from Unilever, where he was European Category Director for the Food and Beverages Division, building many top household brands including Flora, Olivio, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, PG Tips and Batchelors Supernoodles.

He joined Unilever in 1984 and over the next 17 years worked his way up through several of the food and consumer giant's major divisions.

He studied at UMIST in Manchester, where he gained a BSc in Management Sciences. Andy Duncan is 41.

Notes to Editors

1.      Andy Duncan replaces Mark Thompson, who left Channel 4 in June to return to the BBC as its new Director General.

He becomes Channel 4's fifth Chief Executive. His predecessors were: Mark Thompson (2002-2004), Michael Jackson (1997-2001), Michael Grade (1988-1997) and Jeremy Isaacs (1982-1987).