APPOINTMENTS
Doyle to head iTouch in Europe
04-10-2000
by Paul Drury
Independent Newspapers new media director Garret Doyle has been appointed European chief executive officer of Independent's WAP content service, iTouch.
Doyle, who takes up his London-based post on November 1, will be responsible for iTouch's UK and Irish operations and also for European strategy. His appointment signals Independent's commitment to iTouch as the company moves its senior executives to focus on the promising area of mobile telephony services.
iTouch floated in August and, in its maiden results published last month, reported pre-tax losses of STG3.136 million for the first half of 2000. However, "significant" growth in both corporate and consumer business drove a 56 percent growth in revenue to STG1.3 million, executive chairman Ivan Fallon said.
"We are delighted that Garret has agreed to join iTouch and that Independent in Ireland has agreed to release him. He is very highly regarded throughout the company and has an excellent track record," said Fallon.
Michael Owens, who was recently appointed acting managing director of iTouch UK, will continue in his existing role, reporting to Doyle. Gillian Taylor, managing director of iTouch Ireland, will also report to him and Doyle is not expected to be directly replaced in Dublin.
In his former role, Doyle oversaw the development of Independent's new media activities in Ireland under the umbrella of Independent Digital, which now employs over 150 in Citywest, Dublin. Previously, he was responsible for Independent's premium rate phone business in Ireland, which is now part of iTouch.
He is Chairman of Independent's wholly-owned subsidiary, Independent Communications, and is also a director of Educational MultiMedia Group, a B2B distance learning and soft skills multi-media business, in which Independent is a shareholder.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 