Ten’s Gruen Exec Gives Himself More Airtime

Veteran advertising executive Russel Howcroft, who having made a public name for himself on ABC's The Gruen Transfer was poached by the embattled Network Ten, has revealed that he will be giving himself a bigger on-screen role at Ten.

After much industry speculation, Howcroft was named as the new Executive General Manager of Network Ten on Wednesday and will become responsible for operations in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Howcroft will continue on The Gruen Transfer despite the Ten appointment, but has also admitted today that he'll be giving himself a bigger stint on Ten's current affairs attempt, The Project.

Speaking to AdNews he said, “I've appeared on The Project and I hope I will be doing a bit more of that.”

Network Ten has had a horrid year in the ratings, with shows like The Shire, Everybody Dance Now, I Will Survive and Breakfast all considered severe ratings failures.

Howcroft would not be drawn into commenting on Ten's ratings but said, “2013 is a new year.”

He is currently Chairman and Chief Executive of Young & Rubicam Brands Australia and New Zealand.