CNN recruits digital and sales specialist Wyatt

Turner’s cable news net CNN International has hired Owen Wyatt for a newly-created digital and affiliate sales role.

Wyatt joins from YouTube channel operator Base79. At CNN International he will be tasked with growing the range of affiliates the news channel works with and developing its training and consultancy services.

CNN’s new recruit will report to Greg Beitchman, CNN International’s vice president, content sales and partnerships who joined the company from Reuters late last year. He said: “With Owen on-board CNN’s partners can expect even more innovation and enterprising commercial opportunities.”

Wyatt said: “As the leading global player in news, CNN also has a huge opportunity to grow our distribution with out of home partners in mutually beneficial relationships that takes CNN content to an even greater audience on new and innovative platforms.”

Prior to Base79, Wyatt was head of video at newswire Reuters and a producer at Sky Sports.

CNN’s international said his appointment marked another step in Rani Raad’s restructuring of the commercial business since becoming chief commercial officer in February 2013.