Two Way TV Names New Head of Production, New Non-Exec Chairman

--Secures Deal with Mobile Interactive Group

Ingenious Media Active Capital, which earlier this year acquired a controlling equity stake (approximately 84%) in UK interactive TV company, Two Way TV, for £5.34 million, and which at the time promised to build up the latter's creative and production capabilities in order to develop "mass participation" interactive programming for mainstream broadcast (note: shortly before announcing its acquisition by Ingenious, Two Way TV sold off its Ark interactive TV technology platform to Virgin Media--see [itvt] Issue 7.32 Part 3), appears to be following up on that promise: the Ingenious-owned Two Way TV is staffing up its production team with the appointment of Sarah Winstanley as head of production. She will be responsible for coordinating all Two Way TV's future production activity, and will report to the company's creative director, Liz Chandler.

Winstanley, who, according to Two Way TV has nine years of programming and production experience, joins the company from Optimistic Media (note: the latter is currently in administration--see [itvt] Issue 7.36 Part 1), where she was head of production for four years. "Sarah's experience of working in live TV, alongside her strong production credentials gained through working for Optimistic Media and E4, will make her a real asset to Two Way TV," Two Way TV's Chandler said in a prepared statement. "We have a number of new projects which have been commissioned which we will announce shortly." Two Way TV says that it is also seeking to appoint a managing director to oversee its production business.

Winstanley's appointment is, of course, not the first example of Ingenious putting its stamp on Two Way TV: earlier this summer, Ingenious announced that it had appointed Clive Jones CBE as the latter's non-executive chairman. Jones has an extensive line-up of contacts in the traditional broadcast television industry: he also serves as non-executive director of GMTV and of Welsh public service broadcaster, S4C; and was formerly chief executive of ITV News and Regions, CEO of Carlton Television, and managing director of Central Television and the London News Network. According to Ingenious, his new role at Two Way TV will see him working alongside the company's CEO, Jean de Fougerolles. "I am very much looking forward to working with Two Way TV, a company that has a genuine pedigree in delivering innovative interactive TV products," Jones said in a prepared statement. "I believe that Two Way TV's success can be replicated in a number of new markets, particularly the US, while the continued interest in participation TV in the UK suggests real opportunity for growth here too. The invitation to work alongside Ingenious was also too good an opportunity to pass: their reputation and contacts are second-to-none." Added Ingenious director, Patrick McKenna: "I'm delighted that Clive has joined Two Way TV as chairman. He has an outstanding track record in the commercial TV sector. Clive is the perfect person to help Two Way TV expand its creative and production teams to develop the next generation of skill- and gaming-based entertainment shows as it enters new markets."

In other Two Way TV news: the company has signed an exclusive partnership deal with multimedia mobile interactive services provider, Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), that will see it supplying its Simcast SMS- and MMS-to-TV technology for The O2, which is billed as "the world's first fully integrated mobile interactive entertainment venue" (note: the Simcast platform, which Two Way TV acquired through its purchase of the company of the same name in 2004, has also been used by, among others, Emap, ITV, Turner, Optimistic Entertainment and iPlay in the UK, Star TV Asia, Hong Kong's ATV, and Sky New Zealand). According to Two Way TV, the technology will enable visitors to The O2 to send pictures and messages to giant screens located in the venue's various bars, cafes and pedestrian areas, and in its 20,000-capacity arena. The company says that the technology will also be used to provide The O2 with interactive marketing tools and templates "to engage consumers in an immersive mobile experience and promote other mobile services at the venue." "We have worked with Two Way TV on various projects in the past, including ITV Play where the company delivered an excellent service," Anthony Nelson, business development director at MIG, said in a prepared statement. "Its track record and ongoing relationship with MIG makes the company an ideal partner."

Originally Published: October 12, 2007 in [itvt] Issue 7.39 Part 1

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