First Chief Exec for UK Online Measurement Body

British online audience measurement body UKOM has appointed Ian Dowds as its first CEO.

The organisation was formed in 2009 to provide 'consistent, transparent online audience measurement' for the country, and has recently renewed its long-term contract with research partner comScore.

Dowds brings 25 years' experience in media, including ten years at ITV and four each at MindShare, Turner Entertainment and Specific Media, followed by shorter stints at Trinity Mirror and InMobi, and then as an independent consultant. His appointment reflects the organisation's desire to combine the best of traditional and new techniques and technology - 'the very best and most robust of traditional panel based data alongside that from the ever-evolving world of systems and devices'.

UKOM is owned by the IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau) and the Association of Online Publishers (AOP), and also has advertising associations the IPA and ISBA as key stakeholders.

Lynne Robinson, Research Director at the IPA comments: 'Ian is a very well respected figure in the industry and brings a wealth of experience to the role of CEO of UKOM. This is both an exciting and critical time in UKOM's development as its data starts to be combined with other data sets such as PAMCo and TouchPoints'. IAB Chief Exec Guy Philipson says Dowds brings 'a wealth of experience and strategic direction to lead UKOM and raise its profile in the market'.

Web site: www.ukom.uk.net .