BBC Advertising names business development and innovation chief

Errol Baran

BBC Worldwide’s advertising unit, BBC Advertising, has named Errol Baran as SVP of business development and innovation. In this new role, he will be charged with developing the commercial product portfolio and the profile of the business through consumer insight and partnerships.

Baran previously worked as head of UK and Europe partnerships at Live Nation, overseeing new client and agency commercial relationships. He has held senior positions at Vevo and Clear Channel, as well as 12 years at Channel 4, where he led development of the broadcaster’s digital advertising businesses.

In his new role, he will report to Sean O’Hara, EVP of international sales, as part of what BBC Advertising describes as a planned evolution of its senior leadership.

The advertising management team has been reorganised around three areas – sales leadership, operational management and innovation. As well as Baran, the senior team comprises Richard Pattinson, SVP, BBC StoryWorks, Nicholas Charlton as SVP Commercial Operations, Alistair McEwan as SVP commercial development for APAC, Dawn Williamson as SVP sales North America and Lori Suchcicki as SVP sales Europe, Middle East and Latin America.

BBC Advertising creates campaigns for major global brands, and is primarily focused on opportunites for advertisers around BBC.com and BBC World News.

“Errol brings an enviable breadth and depth of experience to this new role, and we are delighted to welcome him to the business. He will spearhead the development of a new product portfolio, harnessing technology and insights to identify new revenue opportunities and raise the profile for BBC Advertising,” said O’Hara.