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Â鶹Éç Worldwide has appointed Mark Smith as Global iPlayer Launch Director, effective end of September. In this newly created role he will lead the development of the proposed Â鶹Éç branded international commercial video-on-demand (VOD) service. Smith joins from the Â鶹Éç’s Future Media & Technology Division, where most recently he has been Acting General Manager for Programmes & On-Demand with responsibility for key Â鶹Éç online products such as the UK Â鶹Éç iPlayer, including overseeing the successful delivery of the latest version, released this week.

The Global iPlayer will capitalise on the demand for British programming by audiences around the world. It is scheduled to launch in 2011 subject to approvals. Smith will report to Luke Bradley-Jones, EVP, MD Â鶹Éç.com.

Comments Bradley-Jones; "We're thrilled to have Mark on board. His proven knowledge and experience in on-demand programming is exactly what we need to lead this exciting yet complex project. This new service is a key strand of our multiplatform content strategy and a great new opportunity for British shows."

"Multi-platform viewing is now a familiar part of everyday entertainment for people all around the world," Mark Smith adds. "The time certainly feels right to present audiences with a tailored international version of the Â鶹Éç iPlayer service."

Prior to his current role, Smith was responsible for the delivery of all Â鶹Éç Vision's online propositions across all TV genres. Before joining the Â鶹Éç in 2008, Smith worked for BSkyB, interactive TV startup Open Interactive and BT, where he worked on early VOD trials.

Alex Fulton