Personnel changes at Barb 15 April 2013 Barb today announces that Joe Lewis has been appointed as project director on its executive team. In this expanded role, Joe will have particular responsibility for co-ordinating how Barb and its stakeholders adapt to emerging issues facing broadcast audience research. Justin Sampson, Barb’s Chief Executive, says “Barb is in the process of defining and delivering services that reinforce its position in the value chain of the UK broadcasting and advertising industry. Since joining the Barb team in 2010, Joe has made a significant contribution because of his research expertise and an instinctive grasp of knowing the right thing to do. More detail on our future-facing initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks.” Barb is also announcing that Gary Roddy is joining the client services part of the team as maternity cover for Sarah Mowbray. Gary has spent over 20 years working for commercial broadcasters including ITV, Channel 4 and IDS/Virgin Media. Justin Sampson says “it’s great to have someone join the team who knows what life is like as a client of Barb. We look forward to welcoming Gary to the team.” Both Joe and Gary are taking up their new roles with immediate effect. For more information, please contact Justin Sampson on 020 7024 8100 or through justin.sampson@barb.co.uk Notes for Editors. The Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (Barb) provides viewing figures for UK television audiences. Its principal funders are BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising), ITV and Sky. On behalf of these organisations and other subscribers, Barb commissions specialist companies Ipsos MORI, Kantar Media and RSMB to collect data that represent the television viewing behaviour of the UK’s 26 million TV households. Barb viewing data gives broadcasters, advertisers and other interested parties a minute by minute breakdown of viewing at regional and national levels. This information is vital in assessing how programmes, channels or advertising campaigns have performed and provides the basis for airtime advertising trading.