Highfield ditches Kangaroo for Microsoft

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 10 Nov 2008 at 17:54

Ashley Highfield, chief executive of fledgling television on-demand service Kangaroo, has left the job to join Microsoft, only four month after taking the role.

Highfield was previously the BBC's director of future media and technology, where he oversaw the rocky development of the iPlayer. He left the project in April to become CEO of Kangaroo, a joint venture between BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4, which will see content from all three providers united under one service.

However, four months into the job Highfield has announced he's leaving to become Microsoft's managing director and vice president of consumer and online. His remit will cover sales and marketing for Windows Mobile, Windows and online projects.

"I was presented with an amazing opportunity which I couldn't turn down, and I am looking forward to embarking on my new challenge, while wishing everyone at the project continued success," Highfield says in a statement.

His position will be temporarily taken by Rod Henwood, the former business director responsible for launching Channel 4's 4oD on-demand service. Henwood will be a caretaker until a new candidate can be appointed.

Kangaroo had been slated for an August 2008 release, but has been put back until January 2009, with the Competition Commission saying it needs more time to make a ruling on whether the tie-up will harm competition.