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BBC Worldwide has overhauled its management structure to create a

more aggressive commercial organisation for global markets, with the aim

of tripling contributions from worldwide operations to pounds 180

million by 2006.

Four publishing directors now head individual customer-led business

groups across BBC Worldwide’s activities, each concentrating on a core

activity. Nicholas Brett, publishing director of the Radio Times,

becomes director of BBC Worldwide’s music, drama, arts and history

output. Stuart Snaith, publishing director of Top Gear and Match of the

Day, becomes director of motoring, sport and entertainment.

Seamus Geoghegan, publishing director of the home interest group, has

been named director of the Lifestyle Group, which incorporates the BBC’s

home interest magazines, lifestyle and natural history books and

videos.

Gillian Laskier, publishing director of youth and children’s titles, is

director for the Family Group, which encompasses parenting, youth and

children’s interests.

In addition to these appointments, Paul Dempsey, sales director of

Frontline, will head a new sales and trade marketing operation which has

been created to develop the BBC’s retail and trade partnerships.

Peter Phippen, managing director of BBC Worldwide, said he wanted to

open up opportunities for advertisers within BBC Worldwide’s existing

publishing interests and its digital TV activities with Flextech. He

said: ’We must get better at developing packages for advertisers across

our published media, the Beeb and UK TV. This business is now structured

so that that there will be a straightforward connection between heads of

businesses, UK TV channels and exhibitions.’

Phippen, who recently poached Marie Oldham from Leo Burnett to head BBC

Worldwide’s business development department, has promised that the BBC

will become more open and accessible to advertisers with its database

marketing and customer information. He added: ’I don’t think we have

blown our trumpet enough in this area.’

We ought to be the UK’s expert in the media marketplace.’