Shortlist of seven compiled for ITV’s website

ITV intends to appoint a consultancy to design its new website by the end of this week, amid controversy over the pitching process.

The website is aimed at promoting the independent television network’s brand. A seven-strong shortlist, comprising design consultancies and independent television production companies, has been established.

Jason O’Sullivan, new media executive at ITV Network Centre, declines to name the shortlisted consultancies and would not comment on the nature of the pitch or whether it was paid.

But a designer from one new media group which took part in the pitch says: “The way they conducted the pitches was a farce. They were raiding ideas.”

ITV has been seeking a design consultancy since June. But the pitch date is believed to have been changed several times, and the brief, according to one of the groups which pitched, was lacking in objectives.