ThinkAnalytics has appointed James Shears as Senior Vice President of Advertising. In this role, Shears will lead the global strategy and commercial expansion of ThinkAnalytics’ advertising solutions.
According to ThinkAnalytics, Shears brings more than 20 years of experience across TV, streaming media and data-driven advertising. Before joining ThinkAnalytics, he served as Vice President (VP) of Business Development and Client Partnerships at XR Extreme Reach.
The company stated Shears will focus on driving adoption of ThinkAnalytics’ privacy-safe audience intelligence and metadata enrichment solutions – helping media owners increase yield, grow premium inventory, and deliver more relevant, effective advertising.
Eddie Young, chairman and co-founder of ThinkAnalytics, said Shears “brings exactly the right mix of advertising expertise, data strategy, and commercial leadership to drive our next chapter. As the industry moves toward first-party data and outcome-driven advertising, his leadership will help customers turn their own data into a strategic asset.”
Shears commented: “Media owners are sitting on incredibly valuable first-party data, and there’s a real opportunity to get more value from the viewership and content signals they see every day. ThinkAnalytics is uniquely positioned to use AI to transform data into high-value audience segments, content intelligence, and enriched metadata creating deeper engagement between viewers, content and advertisers while strengthening connections across the ecosystem.”
Britain could switch off terrestrial TV in the 2030s, Sky discovers
Sky research has found that the UK is capable of fully moving to internet-delivered TV in the 2030s – if the UK Government sets a clear timetable and invests in targeted help for those most at risk of digital exclusion.
UK screen industry hits £13.3bn in 2025
The value of the UK screen industry increased by 5.4% to £13.3bn in 2025, with streaming more than compensating for the decline in traditional pay TV value, according to DEGI research. Cinema is also reportedly continuing to grow back to its pre-pandemic levels.
YouTube set to pass 30 billion videos in early 2026
YouTube has reached 29 billion videos as of December 2025, with growth driven by Shorts, AI-generated content, and expansion in markets such as India, according to new research from Omdia.
BBC appoints Rhodri Talfan Davies as Interim Director General
The BBC Board has confirmed that Rhodri Talfan Davies will act as Interim Director-General, after Director-General Tim Davie officially stands down on 2 April 2026. In doing so, the organisation has revealed that the process to appoint a new Director-General is underway.
Sky unveils plans for major redevelopment of Livingston campus
Sky has confirmed plans for a major investment in an expanded Scottish office in Livingston, having submitted a full planning application.


