Troubled Irish broadcaster RTÉ has announced that Gavin Deans is to take up the role of Commercial Director, leading RTÉ’s commercial division.
Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General RTÉ:
“I am delighted to welcome Gavin to RTÉ and to the leadership team. As we prepare to deliver a new strategic vision for RTÉ, the role of our commercial division will be critical. As a dual-funded broadcaster, the monies we generate from our content is re-invested into the creation of new content. Commercial revenue will be an essential pillar of a sustainable RTÉ and, with his unparalleled experience as an innovator in the sector, I am confident that our excellent commercial team will have a leader that can drive results for RTÉ, and for the audiences we serve.”
As part of RTÉ’s permanent leadership team, Gavin will lead the development of a new commercial strategy for RTÉ, optimising revenues for reinvestment in public service media through an evolution of RTÉ’s revenue streams, markets, and strategic partnerships.
Gavin was formerly Managing Director of Media Central, Ireland’s largest media sales house, where he led and implemented commercial strategy across Media Central’s portfolio of radio stations, digital, events and sports businesses. As a champion of client solutions, Gavin delivered a range of media firsts for key clients, including Heineken, Vodafone, Coca Cola and PWC. Formerly Sales Director for Communicorp, Gavin has extensive previous experience in print and digital media.
Gavin Deans:
“RTÉ holds a special place in Ireland’s media landscape. I am genuinely inspired by its commitment to delivering high-quality content and serving the needs of the public. At the same time, I understand the challenges that RTÉ and the media sector face. As I set about the task of evolving a best-in-class commercial strategy for Ireland’s national public service media, my focus, and that of my new colleagues in RTÉ, will be to deliver the maximum amount of revenue possible to safeguard RTÉ’s public service portfolio for current and future generations.”
Gavin will take up his role as Commercial Director in February 2024. Earlier this week RTÉ’s outlined plans for setting out a new direction for the broadcaster that was part of a payment scandal earlier this year.
The first part of the network’s new strategic vision is to engage with RTÉ’s many stakeholders – the Irish government, RTÉ staff, audiences, independent producers, regulators, service providers on the future of RTÉ. Feedback from stakeholders will inform the development of RTÉ’s Statement of Strategy for 2024 – 2028, which is due in the new year.
