C4 Sales appoints Emma Derrick as new Commercial Development Leader

Channel 4 Sales today announced the appointment of Emma Derrick to the newly created role of Commercial Development Leader to head up a brand new Commercial Development team within the Digital & Partnerships division. 

Reporting to Jonathan Lewis, Head of Digital & Partnership Innovation, Emma will lead a new team to deliver a coherent, creative and commercial framework which offers innovative new opportunities to advertisers and media agencies.

The framework will focus primarily on new B-to-B commercial models, such as joint ventures, digital content development and content syndication, product licensing, merchandising and placement, as well as developing talent partnerships with advertisers.

It will be developed in conjunction with major independent production companies and will assist in marrying Channel 4 Sales advertising relationships with the independent production sector.

Emma was previously Head of Commercial Partnerships at Channel 5 where she was responsible for delivering incremental revenues across the Northern and Shell portfolio via premium rate telephony, participation TV, licensing and merchandising, live events, home shopping and programme distribution. Prior to this Emma has held senior commercial development roles at Endemol UK and Ybag Ltd.

Commenting on the appointment, Jonathan Lewis said: “We’re continually seeking new business models and advertising sales opportunities for our agencies and clients. Emma has an excellent track record in the creation of bespoke integrated partnerships and solid experience within the indie production sector – we’re looking forward to welcoming her to Channel 4 to spearhead this new framework which will deliver innovative new commercial partnerships with indies.”

Emma said: “I’m delighted to be joining Channel 4 and am looking forward to driving new initiatives with indies and agencies utilising my 18 years of broadcast experience.   Channel 4 has some amazing programming brands which I’m really excited to be working on as part of the wider Digital and Partnerships division.”

Emma joins Channel 4 at the end of June.