This comes out of the blue: group director of Autotrader.co.uk Dominic Collins has left the company to set up his own digital consultancy business, a company spokeswoman confirms to NMA. At the same time, Collins steps down from his role as co-chair of the Association of Online Publishers, leaving Thomson Reuters’ Tim Faircliff as its single chair.
Just a few weeks ago, Collins told Robert about the classified ad company’s five-year plan which is designed to carry on its impressive digital revenue figures.
He joined Autotrader in July 2008 from BSkyB (NYSE: BSY). Autotrader CEO John King will take over his responsibilities, at least for the time being. But in a way, it makes sense for Collins to leave now: he’ll begin 2010 as a sought-after digital exec who’s spent the last 18 months at one of the few print-origin media businesses to make big money without relying on a dead-tree product.
— BBC Worldwide: The Beeb’s commercial wing has confirmed it is to appoint a head of Lonely Planet TV based in New York next year . Wayne Garvie, BBCWW’s head of content and production, said the role will involve developing TV programming using the LP brand. After a lengthy review, the BBC Trust warned BBCWW against any acquisitions comparable to the £89 million deal that secured LP. From C21Media.net.
— Shortlist: The free weekly men’s mag has hired former Associated Newspapers ad exec Georgina Turner to the newly created role of commercial director. She was most recently head of trading at the now-closed London Lite. From Media Week.

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