ThinkAnalytics has appointed James Shears as Senior Vice President of Advertising. In this role, Shears will lead the global strategy and commercial expansion of ThinkAnalytics’ advertising solutions.
According to ThinkAnalytics, Shears brings more than 20 years of experience across TV, streaming media and data-driven advertising. Before joining ThinkAnalytics, he served as Vice President (VP) of Business Development and Client Partnerships at XR Extreme Reach.
The company stated Shears will focus on driving adoption of ThinkAnalytics’ privacy-safe audience intelligence and metadata enrichment solutions – helping media owners increase yield, grow premium inventory, and deliver more relevant, effective advertising.
Eddie Young, chairman and co-founder of ThinkAnalytics, said Shears “brings exactly the right mix of advertising expertise, data strategy, and commercial leadership to drive our next chapter. As the industry moves toward first-party data and outcome-driven advertising, his leadership will help customers turn their own data into a strategic asset.”
Shears commented: “Media owners are sitting on incredibly valuable first-party data, and there’s a real opportunity to get more value from the viewership and content signals they see every day. ThinkAnalytics is uniquely positioned to use AI to transform data into high-value audience segments, content intelligence, and enriched metadata creating deeper engagement between viewers, content and advertisers while strengthening connections across the ecosystem.”
Rise launches Elevate programme for broadcast leaders
Rise has launched the Elevate programme, a six-week leadership course designed to fast-track the careers of mid-level women working across broadcast media technology.
Andrew Llinares to step down as Fremantle’s Director of Global Entertainment
Andrew Llinares is to step down this spring from his position as Director of Global Entertainment at global producer and distributor Fremantle.
HBO Max to launch in UK and Ireland on March 26
Warner Bros. Discovery is to launch its streaming service HBO Max in the UK and Ireland on 26 March 2026.
5G broadcast trials underway at Winter Olympics
Italian public service broadcaster Rai and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are conducting new 5G broadcast trials during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, which run from 6-22 February 2026.
Channel 4 unveils coverage plans for 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Channel 4 has unveiled the plans for its coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
