Tom Loosemore is leaving Ofcom in October to head Channel 4’s £50 million 4iP digital investment project - his latest key role in UK public service digital media. Tomski was BBCi acting controller, strategic innovation head and BBC 2.0 project director at the BBC, before heading to Ofcom in 2007 to lead its thinking on public service digital publishing.

Announced in March, 4iP (4 Innovation for the Public) is a partnership between regional media development agencies and C4, which is committing £20 million. Staked out during C4’s 2gether08 summer event as a socially-minded programme for online media investment, it’s a key part of the case C4 is making for retaining its public funding, as Ofcom continues its review of the UK public broadcasting and landscape and as C4 itself faces a funding shortfall. But the planned launch was delayed from July to September.

Loosemore will report to C4’s new media director Jon Gisby, who had fronted all 4iP announcements to date. He said “I feel hugely privileged to be offered the chance to lead such a bold public service initiative. It’s in Channel 4’s DNA to innovate, to take risks and to support new talent. I look forward to applying that same pioneering spirit to interactive media.”

Loosemore has public service innovation in his blood, having launched local info site UpMyStreet in 1998 and having worked with MySociety on political engagement projects TheyWorkForYou and FaxYourMP. Joining the BBC as broadband head in 2001, he helped write the broadcaster’s “Building Public Value” 10-year strategy document and helped plan 2.0-centric audience interaction priorities.

(Photo: James Cridland)

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