Jonathan Rogers to leave ITV

ITV commercial director Jonathan Rogers, a key lieutenant of director of television Peter Fincham, is leaving the broadcaster after 12 years to move to sports rights agency Pitch International. Rogers has been a key deal driver for ITV, working on high-profile negotiations including the network's three-year contract with Simon Cowell's production company Syco, co-producer of The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, and renewing the broadcaster's deal with star hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. He has also been responsible for numerous sports deals including the Euro 2012 Championships and the rights to the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015, since taking on sports rights acquisitions in 2003. Rogers joined Carlton in 2000, working for Clive Jones, and was part of the Granada and Carlton merger team. After the merger he managed ITV's online and digital channels businesses before becoming commercial director. Announcing Rogers' departure in an email to staff, Fincham said: "In the last 12 months he [Rogers] has negotiated improved deals for the French Open tennis, rugby World Cup and Euro 2012. "I'd like to personally thank Jonathan for the fantastic contribution he has made to ITV and I know that you will join me in wishing him all the very best for the future in his new venture." Pitch was recently awarded a new six-year deal with the Football Association to represent its European broadcast rights for the 2012-18 period, and a five-year deal to represent the Football League rights globally. The company's other clients include Uefa, the RFU, Premiership Rugby, and Six Nations. Rogers said: "I am very excited to be joining Pitch at this stage in its growth. Pitch has already established itself as a leading agency and I look forward to helping the team deliver strong results for its existing clients and pursuing some new interesting opportunities." • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication". • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook .