BBC Worldwide Appoints Digital Director

Daniel Heaf rejoins BBC Worldwide as digital champion

London(25 Jun 2010)

BBC Worldwide has appointed Daniel Heaf as Digital Director, a newly created position, to drive digital development and business opportunities on a global basis.  His role will build on the success of existing digital businesses, which account for over 5% of company revenues.

Reporting to BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith, Heaf will work alongside all businesses within the company to nurture and expand a digital culture in existing and new markets while also driving international opportunities in both product and business models. 

BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith says: "We have made great strides in growing our digital portfolio with audiences all around the world consuming our news and entertainment content on a multitude of platforms. With his strong background in media and entertainment, Dan Heaf is expertly equipped to provide a strong digital vision as we continue to realise our digital ambitions. We're thrilled to have him back at BBC Worldwide."

Daniel Heaf says: "There are only a small handful of jobs in digital media that touch every corner of the globe and this is one of them. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape and grow a powerful digital domain. I look forward to re-joining the team and working with BBC Worldwide's digital executives."

BBC Worldwide operates BBC.com the international version of the BBC's website that attracts 54m visitors a month outside the UK and has attracted 600 global advertisers since its commercial launch in 2007. It syndicates content to UK and international digital platforms such as iTunes and YouTube, Netflix, MSN Video, ABC, SeeSaw and Nokia. It also has a portfolio of market leading websites including lonelyplanet.com, bbcgoodfood.com and topgear.com.

Heaf joins BBC Worldwide from Channel4 where for two years he was Digital Commissioner of 4iP, the company's digital innovation fund. Prior to that he was Director of Digital Ventures at BBC Worldwide.

About BBC Worldwide
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has seven core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Digital Media, Sales & Distribution, Magazines, Home Entertainment and Global Brands. In 2008/09, BBC Worldwide generated profits of £102.6 million (before exceptionals) on sales of over £1 billion.   

BBC Worldwide was awarded with the Queen's Award for Enterprise in April 2009. This prestigious award for International Trade recognised the company's substantial growth in overseas earnings and its commercial success at outstanding levels, based on 3 years' trading results, which benefit the UK creative industries and ultimately the licence fee payer.

BBC Worldwide Channels is one of seven BBC Worldwide businesses.