ITV to offer Howell broad role

ITV is set to offer the former president of McCann Erickson Group, Rupert Howell, a management role encompassing commercial, digital strategy and marketing.

Howell co-founded the award winning advertising agency HHCL in the late 1980s. Its campaigns included Pot Noodle’s Slag of All Snacks and Ronseal’s ‘It does exactly what it says on the tin’.

This is a broader role than that left open by the departure of ITV commercial director Ian McCulloch in May, and is expected to include a position on the board. This would mean David Pemsel, the ITV group marketing director, and Gary Digby, the managing director of the broadcaster's sales operation, could end up reporting to Howell.

The ITV executive chairman, Michael Grade, has been seeking to find a well-known heavy-hitter who will also resonate with the City.

Howell has been courted by several private equity companies since leaving McCann Erickson Group in April.