Jon Watts Named CIMM MD as Clarke Readies to Retire

In New York, research-on-research body the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) has appointed MTM co-founder Jon Watts as Managing Director, succeeding Jane Clarke who is retiring. Watts will take on the role in mid-Q1, 2022.

A subsidiary of the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF), the CIMM conducts research which explores two main areas: the current and future potential of TV measurement through the use of return-path data; and new methods for cross-platform media measurement. Clarke joined as MD when CIMM launched in 2009, after serving as VP of Insights and Innovation at Time Warner Global Media Group, and working in the research divisions of the Children's TV Workshop and National Geographic Society. During her tenure, CIMM launched pilot tests of measurement solutions, and established a framework for cross-platform video measurement, and its research has focused on improvements in these areas.

Watts (pictured) is co-founder and Executive Director of The Project X Institute, a think tank and strategic advisory collective for the media and advertising industries; and he also serves as Project Director for The TV Data Initiative, a consortium of data and technology companies focused on supporting the growth and development of the US TV data ecosystem. He is the co-founder of London-based research and strategy consultancy MTM, which specializes in the media, technology, entertainment and advertising sectors.

Scott McDonald, President and CEO of the ARF, comments: 'There is perhaps no one individual in the industry today more responsible for advancing cross-platform video measurement than Jane. Her ability to help buyers, sellers and vendors join together to identify a vision and act upon it, backed by her unique understanding of the technical and business challenges involved, has made it possible for the industry to be near attainment of its ultimate goal. She now leaves that mission in the very experienced and capable hands of Jon.'

Web sites: www.cimm-us.org and www.thearf.org .