Trouble at the top (UK media chief)

Citation

(2007), "Trouble at the top (UK media chief)", Strategic Direction, Vol. 23 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sd.2007.05623aad.003

Trouble at the top (UK media chief)

Trouble at the top (UK media chief)

Lee J.Marketing, August 2, 2006, Start page: 19, No. of pages: 1

Purpose – To assess whether the management of ITV boss Charles Allen is really to blame for the UK commercial television channel’s woes. Design/methodology/approach – Summarizes the failures of ITV management and strategy and considers whether new management can salvage the situation. Findings – Allen has been almost constantly on the receiving end of criticism for his management abilities but the situation reached fever pitch when ITV’s share price dropped below the psychologically important 100p mark. States that the most obvious problem is ITV1’s schedule and its dismal performance as a core channel. Explains that its poorly-performing shows are made internally and, instead of focusing on ITV as a broadcaster, management has continued to run the company as a production business, paying themselves for making programmes, which simply means moving money around in an internal market. Suggests that a new chief executive should look at buying in what will perform best on the channel regardless of its source as an improved schedule would alleviate the pressure on ad sales. Goes on to outline the areas in which Allen’s strategy has been more successful. Originality/value – Asserts that ITV must focus on growth rather than just cost-cutting and believes that fresh management may achieve this. ISSN: 0025-3650 Reference: 35AU041

Keywords: Advertising, Television, United Kingdom