Linley's new title is creative director lifestyle and entertainment for Bauer Media, and he takes on responsibility for the development of Bauer brands on broadcast platforms.
Bauer already has deals in place with Endemol and Prospect Pictures for major broadcasters, is in development discussions with TalkbackThames, and says it has an offer on the table from a major broadcaster for a pilot TV project that Linley has worked on.
Linley joined Heat in 2000 as deputy editor to help relaunch the title. He was appointed editor of the magazine in June last year.
The deputy editor, Jeremy Mark, will edit the magazine and oversee its website heatworld.com until Linley is replaced.
Bauer Media has recently produced and co-produced programmes, including The Empire Awards for ITV2, an Empire documentary on Spielberg for Five, a Match Academy series for Five and an FHM series for Sky.
David Davies, the managing director of Bauer Media’s women’s lifestyle and entertainment brands, said: "We have reached the point where there is clearly an opportunity for us to extend our brands on to television through co-production deals with some of the very best production companies. To see these through to broadcast, it is clear that we now need to dedicate top quality creative resource. Julian was the obvious choice."
Linley said: "Stepping out of the day-to-day role, while still delivering new initiatives across all lifestyle and entertainment brands, is the best of both worlds."
.jpg)
.jpg)