ITN New Media managing director Garron Baines has quit the company to join computer giant IBM as a consultant.
Baines had been instrumental in building up ITN鈥檚 online presence since 1997, culminating in last year鈥檚 launch of an integrated news service across the web, mobile phones, handheld computers and with ITN News 24, digital television.
IBM has hired Baines as managing principal for media and entertainment, consulting within IBM global services.
Baines was at ITN for 24 years and during that time worked as head of Channel 4 News and head of ITN鈥檚 international business activities.
ITN is not planning to replace Baines, but, instead, has reorganised the structure of its new media department.
Sue Inglish, editor of ITN New Media, and executive producer Mark Gawlinski will report to ITN鈥檚 editor-in-chief Richard Tait.
Commercial activities will be handled by commercial director Philipa Edward, who will report directly to ITN finance director Andy Whitaker.
The departure of Baines comes at a crucial time for the news provider as it seeks to retain its news provision contract with ITV, due to come up for renewal later this year, and also forge closer links with the network.
Baines said: 鈥淚 leave behind a top-class management team backed by commercial acumen and an editorial team that embodies the best of ITN鈥檚 enterprise journalism.鈥
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