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The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has appointed Julian Payne as Head of Communications for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Vision. He is currently Head of Communications for ´óÏó´«Ã½ One & Fiction. He succeeds Paul Almond, who has been promoted to become the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s first Head of Digital Communications. Both will report to Ed Williams, Director of Communications, and will join the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Communications Steering Group.

The appointments follow the decision by Ed Williams to restructure the department.

In his new role Julian will lead the communications teams for the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s television channels and services and genre teams in drama, knowledge, comedy & entertainment and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Films. With responsibility for all external communications activity in the division, he will provide strategic communications counsel to Jana Bennett, the Director of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Vision, and her senior team.

Paul Almond will be responsible for leading ´óÏó´«Ã½ Communications' engagement in digital communications and social media. His new unit will include the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Future Media & Technology communications team and a new social media manager, who is to be recruited, as well as ´óÏó´«Ã½ Communications' web publishing operation.

After three years in the press office at BSkyB, Julian Payne began his career at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ as Head of Communications for Radio 1 & 1Xtra before moving over to run the Elstree press team with responsibility for continuing drama series, including EastEnders.

In 2005 Julian left the ´óÏó´«Ã½ to become a partner at Henry's House PR agency, specialising in entertainment clients such as Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, Channel 4, ITV and Virgin. He was appointed Head of Communications for ´óÏó´«Ã½ One in 2008.

Paul Almond began his career as a publicist for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Music & Arts and Youth Programmes under Alan Yentob and Janet Street-Porter. He became a senior publicist at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Films in 2001, and was appointed Publicity Manager, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Drama, the following year.

In 2005, he moved to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three as Publicity Manager, and the following year was promoted to Head of Communications, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Future Media & Digital. He took up his present role as Head of Communications, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Vision, in 2008.

Announcing the appointments, Ed Williams, Director of Communications, ´óÏó´«Ã½, said: "I am particularly pleased that two individuals with such a strong and impressive track record in television and communications have accepted senior roles within our new Communications team. These are very important roles within the ´óÏó´«Ã½ and I believe Paul and Julian will bring energy, ideas and excellent judgement to them."

Julian Payne said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity of leading the highly-talented communications team at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Vision. The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s range of television channels and services offer fantastic opportunities for communicators and I look forward to working closely with Jana Bennett and her team to ensure that viewers are aware of all that is on offer."

Paul Almond said: "This is the most exciting time for communications and the possibilities being offered by digital and social media. I am looking forward to delivering a new approach to communications and harnessing the full potential of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ in this area."

´óÏó´«Ã½ Press Office