Will Eir switch the TV channel after departures?
THERE were some big departures at Eir this week, with a handful of senior executives exiting ahead of the takeover by telecoms billionaire Xavier Niel. Among those leaving are group marketing director Henry Drummer and director of corporate finance Michelle Bennett.
Perhaps one of the most interesting departures is Glen Killane, who was Eir’s first ever managing director of TV and sport. At one stage he had been strongly tipped as a contender for the job of director general of RTE but the role went to Dee Forbes. He left shortly afterwards for the position in Eir to lead the telco’s “significant plans” for its TV and sports services. One wonders if Neil sees quite such an opportunity for TV.
As for Killane, he must surely be interested in a job currently going in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). In recent weeks, the Geneva-based organisation advertised for a new role, that of deputy sports director. Applications were due by mid-March and the process is ongoing. It would be a perfect role for Killane, who was group head of RTE Sport from 2004 to 2010 and also did a stint as president of the EBU, where his former boss Noel Curran is now director general. He could face competition, however, in the form of Ryle Nugent who left the RTE head of sport role in February after 24 years at the broadcaster. Surely both men would have a sporting chance?