New Director of BBC Future Media & Technology

LONDON, July
18: The BBC has named Erik Huggers as its director of future media and
technology, taking over from Ashley Highfield, who has left to become the CEO
of Kangaroo, a proposed joint-venture on-demand service.

Effective
August 1, Huggers, who is currently the group controller of the division, will
also join the BBC executive board. He will be responsible for the company’s
output on the Internet, interactive TV, mobile, broadband—including the
BBC iPlayer—and other emerging platforms. Huggers will also be
responsible for the BBC’s enterprise and broadcast technology strategy and
delivery. He joined the company last year from Microsoft Corporation, where he
worked across a variety of digital media initiatives.

Mark Thompson, the BBC’s director-general,
commented: "Erik has been a very
strong group controller of FM&T for the last year. He has shown tremendous
commitment championing the iPlayer, amongst many other projects. I look forward
to him bringing his drive and determination to this new role, helping ensure
the BBC is fit for the digital future."

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski