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Freesat, the UK’s leading subscription-free satellite TV service, has today announced the appointment of Paul Gilshan as Marketing and Communications Director.
Paul will lead Freesat’s marketing and communications development, overseeing the talented team behind retail sales, brand, customer service, online marketing and communications. He will arrive at Freesat following four years of strong growth for the TV service, including the launch of Freesat’s second generation service, free time, in September 2012. Paul is currently the Director of Commercial Marketing and Research at ITV. Prior to this, his roles have included Head of Marketing for The Times and The Sunday Times, where he delivered innovative subscription packages and launched various digital projects.
Emma Scott commented:
I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Paul to Freesat and really look forward to working with him. He stood out during the recruitment process as an outstanding marketer, who takes a strategic approach; his experiences have been focused on attracting and retaining customers and he has an obvious passion for all things TV. He will be instrumental in shaping and driving the next phase of Freesat’s growth. Paul has had a fascinating career to date, balancing the competing commercial and creative requirements of media and broadcasters, as well as a strong agency background.
Paul said:
I’m really looking forward to this brilliant new challenge, working closely with Emma and the Freesat team. This is a very exciting time for the brand, following the launch of free time last year and I’m looking (forward) to building the Freesat brand in the UK.
Paul will commence his new appointment in spring 2013, reporting to Emma Scott, Freesat’s Managing Director. Freesat’s marketing operations will be led until then, on an interim basis, by Eleanor McBrien. Eleanor has a decade’s experience working for NBC Universal, where she was formerly the Vice President for Global Marketing & Creative Services and led the marketing strategies for over 80 channels. Eleanor has taken over from Will Abbott, who left Freesat in December to become UK Marketing Director for insurer Hiscox.
The new appointment follows an exciting quarter for Freesat, culminating, before Christmas, in the launch of a new TV advertising campaign, devised by VCCP, to support the launch of Freesat+ and the free time TV guide. A second ad creative featuring tongue-in-cheek character Ray, who can’t tell you what he does and is away for weeks at a time, is due to go live in January, across all ITV channels, including peak spots in Coronation Street and Dancing on Ice.
We (joinfreesat) hope to have an interview with Paul Gilshan on commencement of his employment with Freesat in April 2013; we’ll of course welcome your questions at that time.
January 11th, 2013 at 11:57 am
Great to hear another ad campaign on its way, hopefully Paul’s appointment will add some boost to marketing and promotion of the platform considering things have appeared to taken a bit of a lull in recent Months. The lack of a campaign promoting the 24 HD feeds around the Olympics was a real miss for freesat, lets hope now that things will change for the better marketing-wise.
NeilQuote
January 11th, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Lets hope for more HD content instead!
Still various HD versions are not available on Freesat (Five, etc, for various reasons). but why not ITV1 +1 HD, and 4+1 HD.
Marketing is great, but this platform needs to develop further, so that there is also more backing of additional hardware vendors, helping to push product development etc.
WouterQuote
January 11th, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Marketing is the key to success and I feel freesat has slipped back a tad in the technology race in recent Months. Freetime has potential but they need to get existing manufacturers and consumers on-board to buy the products, more users will mean more exposure for channels and a greater reason for them to give us their HD simulcast channels such as C5 etc.
NeilQuote
January 11th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Just as well I posted the original link from the’ dark side’. Sorry, I didn’t know I’d broken the rules 8-/
SaltydawgQuote
January 11th, 2013 at 11:40 pm
God knows Freesat needs to get its act together, you’d hardly know it existed while Sky is engaged in a never ending campaign of carpet bombing. Of course Sky have the curious advantage of charging so they can make “amazing offers” to the public many of whom think that a given introductory rate is fantastic value. Freesat just need to sell the “free” part a bit better, how hard can that be?
mike65Quote
January 12th, 2013 at 12:30 am
Freesat urgently need to address the abomination that is the picture quality of Channel 5, which is way below that available on Freeview & renders the channel unwatchable on Freesat. When is Channel 5 HD coming to the platform, if ever?
Still we have only 5 HD channels, how many have been added in the last 12 months? HD is not the future it is NOW so what are you doing to increase the number of HD channels? Wake up.
darkenergyQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 12:56 am
I never see Sky advertise full price packages to new customers now, think the only way they can attract business is the annual “half price for a year” deals and then hope people conveniently forget about the Direct Debit when it doubles! Can’t wait for BT to get their foot in the door of live sport a bit more to hit Sky where it hurts, then they’ll have less Capex to throw away at all these customer deals as they’ll need to keep the shareholders happy!
NeilQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 10:02 am
Russia Today HD is available in non Freesat mode. I think Channel 5 picture quality is what they want to pay for not a Freesat issue as such. Still no STV HD on Freesat for whatever reason although they can afford the local tv licences for Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 10:39 am
I hope Paul Gilshan can make a difference. Looking forward to seeing Reporting Scotland in HD for the first time on Monday as BBC1 HD Scotland goes on air.
I agree we need more HD. Free HD was what attracted me to Freesat in the first place and I believe it is the key to future expansion of the platform. HD should be the norm from now on not the exception. Perhaps a change of name from Freesat to FreeHDsat would help. It would help differentiate it.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 10:56 am
Mr Gilshan’s first task should be to improve his own image by changing his wallpaper. Or was his photo taken in a property that has featured in “The Hotel Inspector”?
Paul SQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
That wallpaper is all the rage these days in fancy bars and restaurants. Granted, I personally wouldn’t want it in my house but there you go!
I hope in Paul they’ve got someone really switched on marketing-wise as that’s the key to the platform’s continued success.
NeilQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
“fancy” you say? it’s that the corner of the dart board surround behind his head?
GaseousclayQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
Marketing and Communications are often confused. Marketing is about finding out what people want and providing it. Comms is about telling them about it. For reasons I do not want to explain, I have both Freeview and Freesat on my Panasonic TV. I watch Freesat but have a Freeview PVR. May upgrade to latest Humax PVR for Freesat once its software problems have been sorted out for them by early adopters. To me, the main Unique Selling Point of Freesat is future proofing. Ultimately there will not be enough bandwidth available on Freeview which in my mind is cul-de-sac technology. The future lies with satellite and the internet.
So PROMOTE FUTURE PROOFING and the fact it is FREE! That’s all you need to do.
Colin SuterQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Off topic but Men and movies is now MORE>MOVIES
@13 I wonder where all these new channels will come from as it can’t be from the BBC with their present platform neutral policy if Freeview runs out of bandwidth.
I’m really only interested in seeing more HD channels at this point preferably without commercials.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Sorry Admin it is off subject I know but the “sign the petition” site has gone on me. I left a comment in answer to Paul D’s comment and it has disappeared and so has the ability to send anymore comments and no other comments seem to be added by anyone is their a problem on the page?
soldierboy001Quote
January 12th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
A dedicated sports channel is the biggest miss for me at this time. Sky’s Freesat has Liverpool FC TV, not a top sports channel, but a sports channel with live coverage none the less. The lack of HD channels for the inflated price of a HD box is astonishing!
DanielQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
I’ve prevented any further comments being made on that post as I requested no more discussion on the BBC license and had a couple more replies, yours included. It would have been unfair to leave further comments on there but give no opportunity for response from others, so felt this was the best way to put a stop to it.
adminQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
“Freesat just need to sell the “free” part a bit better, how hard can that be?”
As hard as it is to buy shoes for your kids when you have little Or no money.
Remember that Freesat does not have the Cash to through at marketing like $ky does.
Big AlQuote
January 12th, 2013 at 5:14 pm
Yes it was getting a bit stale and repetetive.
soldierboy001Quote
January 12th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
If Paul’s wallpaper in the background picture is anything to go by, there’s no chance of any good marketing & Communications for Freesat’s future here I’m afraid. “Just Joking”. Good luck to Paul, please deliver the goodies.
stonedimmaculate1962Quote
January 12th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Let’s hope that he improves the quality of the Freesat TV adverts – they are completely incomprehensible and compared to the other platforms are pathetic.
Night WatchmanQuote
January 13th, 2013 at 8:50 am
. Still say s men and movies on my epg but haven’t tuned in for a while
MartinQuote
January 13th, 2013 at 9:02 am
Looks good just been on the epg no more old world of sports I hope like what I v seen so far might give it a go
MartinQuote
January 13th, 2013 at 11:07 am
They’ve been showing much better films, looks like Sony have invested a bit of dosh in to tarting up this channel, all good for freesat too I guess.
Went in Asda in Manchester yesterday, they’ve a whole shelf full of freesat STB’s, a bigger selection than freeview and looked very prominent on display and stood out well.
NeilQuote
January 13th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Indeed. Asda seem to be supporting the platform well. Didn’t see the Manhattan HD box only the SD one which was a shame as it’s a great box. I find the HD pictures on the Manhattan are cleaner than the equivalent HD pictures on my Huawei Youview box. The Freesat EPG also looks much nicer than the rather dreary YouView EPG so Freesat is still my preferred platform although a free PVR and a years free LoveFilm Instant (no longer available) for very little extra a month is a good deal. It’s a pity no ISP’s are doing a similar offer with Freesat kit.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 13th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Have to say seems that Freesat does not seem to be progressing at all. The promise of HD channels seems to have come to a standstill. Not the sevice I expected. Disappointing.
paul bowenQuote
January 14th, 2013 at 8:57 am
I also popped in to Currys PC World yesterday as on the hunt for a new laptop, there was a nice freesat stand, all it up with a freetime logo on it, Humax PVR’s underneath together with other PVR’s. This illuminated stand stood out across the store as you looked at the AV section in the back, definitely made freesat look the most dominant product on display which was impressive. Not sure if every store is laid out like that but very good for platform exposure. Maybe this is where they’ve been concentrating their marketing of late?
NeilQuote
January 14th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Yes it is particularly disappointing that no further Channel 4 HD services have appeared on Freesat as was intimated last year. Also STV HD. It makes one wonder what Freesat would have been like if the economy hadn’t crashed and advertising revenues with it.
BBC1 Scotland HD was supposed to be starting today but no sign of it so far.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 14th, 2013 at 9:57 am
This appointment sounds like very good news for Freesat.
But I think a little perspective is needed. The platform really has come a long way in the past 4 years. Before Freesat, non paying satellite viewers had the option of receiving only standard definition channels via a difficult to use free to air receiver, or a limited number of channels via a Sky’s “Freesat for Sky” service. What we have now really is excellent by comparison.
Just consider how long it took Freeview to become established – I think Freesat’s progress, in very difficult economic times, is just fine. And with this new appointment, I think we can expect further excellent progress.
lawrence pearceQuote
January 14th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
BBC1 Scotland HD showing in the Freeview guide but nothing on Freesat yet.
(I am using the appropriate post code). BTW in case you were wondering 8901 in non Freesat mode.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 14th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
@ 14 Richard Crichton
“Off topic but Men and movies is now MORE>MOVIES”
I’m sure I read somewhere that men & movies etc were run by Sony Tv, and they have just bought a load more movies to be fed through their own channels.
Regards
Tony
TonyQuote
January 14th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
See post 24
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 15th, 2013 at 2:01 am
Is he going to get another 10 hd channels on to freesat this year if he wants freesat to be a success freesat need 10more hd channels this year not this free time gimmick more hd first
ConorQuote
January 15th, 2013 at 10:40 am
No he’s not simply because they are contracted to Sky so it can’t happen short of a miracle.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 15th, 2013 at 11:40 am
As a Red I’d love to see LFCtv on Freesat, obviously the arrangement the club have with SKY for this channel is unknown to me but getting them plus the others from Man Utd etc would be worth looking into. There is supposed to be a so called “Olympic legacy” channel on the way. Not heard anything about that for months though.
mike65Quote
January 15th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
Well I think Freesat should get it’s act together, it started off with such big Ideas, and not a great lot has happened.It may a few HD channels, but they have to improve alot for me to watch freesat again.
Francis AitkenQuote
January 15th, 2013 at 11:35 pm
I sense a theme here of deep underlying frustration with the freesat platform, there is just no sense of progress. More HD is called for. What we have is great potential – unrealised
bankersbonusQuote
January 16th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
A banking crisis and economic meltdown has happened which was not foreseen when Freesat launched. I’m just grateful that Freesat survived and is providing me with 6 free HD channels (RT non EPG) although I would obviously like more. I’m just happy that the dark side is not getting a penny from me and will never get a penny from me. When Freesat started there was BBC HD on from 4pm and a red button for ITV HD which provided 2 or three programmes a week so things have progressed albeit slowly.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 17th, 2013 at 9:39 pm
We do all know, don’t we, what Freesat’s for? It’s a NOT FOR PROFIT organisation run by BBC & ITV to provide digital services to those who cannot receive Freeview. It was never meant to be a pay-TV substitute, and the decision to broadcast on Freesat is entirely down to the broadcasters (based on EPG cost, contractual obligations with pay TV providers and available bandwidth on UK-footprint satellites due to the lack of encryption). It has as much free HD content as Freeview, and in fact the only thing missing is Dave and the UKTV channels (which are currently under contract to Sky).
Top-up pay options are another story – Sky will never allow the likes of Sky Sports on Freesat for (hopefully obvious!) commercial reasons!
Let’s just be a bit more realistic?
Paul McCormickQuote
January 25th, 2013 at 2:13 am
I have said this before freesat need to phase out standard def and only get HD channels on to freesat and for anther switch over to happen SD to HD by 2015 UK wide
ConorQuote
February 2nd, 2013 at 10:58 pm
Again – a decision that can only be made by the broadcasters, not Freesat, and dependent entirely upon UK satellite footprint capacity and commercial viability. How would Freeview viewers cope with this ludicrous idea given that the terrestrial broadcast bandwidth is even more limited?
Paul McCormickQuote
February 5th, 2013 at 8:43 pm
we need more quality & less quantity-Do we really need a ton of trashy shopping & gambling channels-Standard def channels take up less space on a harddrive, and are easier to back up
james smithQuote
February 6th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
We may not need them but Freesat certainly does. How do you think Freesat makes it’s money.
Richard CrichtonQuote
February 16th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Hi. I am desperate to purchase the floral/bird wallpaper which is in the rear on the new Desiree Freesat TV advert. Are you able to tell me who manufactures it and the name of it please? Thank you x
Julia CuthbertQuote