Microsoft Finally Fills Top Online Spot; Hires Away BBC Vet Highfield From UK's Kangaroo
This story was written by Robert Andrews.
In a dramatic move, Ashley Highfield is quitting as CEO of Project Kangaroo, a UK VOD JV similar to Hulu, after just three months, to join Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) as VP of its newly combined UK consumer and online business, we have confirmed. Highfield will also join the board of betting agency William Hill next week as it tries to create an online business.
Highfield only started with Kangaroo this July, after stepping down as director of the BBC's future media and technology division. The BBCWW/ITV/C4 venture has appointed Rod Henwood, who was C4's new business director and now leads Kangaroo's regulatory advice, as an interim replacement.
This is major disruption for Kangaroo. The Competition Commission is due to rule by February 8 next year on whether the service will be anti-competitive, but its provisional conclusion is due at the end of this month - Kangaroo has not yet been told that conclusion but has been kept in touch with the process through regular hearings, the commission told paidContent:UK. Lots more over on paidContent:UK
By Robert Andrews