International TV Co-Editor
The Future of Audio and Entertainment – Spotify and Channel 4: When Streaming Giants Collide
Spotify’s head of sales in EMEA is moving to Channel 4 to lead the commercial team.
Rak Patel takes on the new role of Chief Commercial Officer, with the announcement coming a day ahead of the Gogglebox network's annual report.
Patel will lead Channel 4 Sales, the commercial arm of Channel 4, with responsibility for driving the organisation's advertising revenue. A key focus of his role will be to accelerate the commercial elements of Channel 4's Fast Forward strategy, including the transition from linear to digital, which has been a priority of CEO Alex Mahon for several years. The Fast Forward strategy was unveiled earlier this year when Channel 4 announced around 250 job cuts. It includes exiting the network's Horseferry Road site, focusing on "fewer, stronger new titles", creating its own IP and investing in "growth businesses".
