The Pitch International agency appointed Jonathan Rogers, currently commercial director of ITV Channels, a division of UK commercial broadcaster ITV, as its new managing director.
Rogers will “oversee all operations of the business and help with development into new areas”, the agency said. At ITV, Rogers was responsible for building the broadcaster’s sports-rights portfolio, which includes the Uefa Champions League, Uefa Europa League, Uefa European Championships, English FA Cup, England football internationals, Fifa World Cup, French Open tennis and the Rugby World Cup.
“Jonathan’s appointment is a major step forward in our growth plans for the business,” Pitch partner Jon Owen said. “His general management background, proven commercial experience and outstanding reputation in the industry makes him the perfect fit for this pivotal role.”
The agency has in the last six months agreed two major football rights deals, one for the English Football Association and one for the English Football League. Pitch also sells media rights on behalf of Uefa, European football’s governing body; the governing bodies of rugby union in England, Wales and Ireland; the European Rugby Cup and the Six Nations rugby union championship.
Pitch said that it had also recently appointed Jon Varney, formerly commercial director of Premiership Rugby, to its sales team and as the head of a new commercial division.