UPDATED: MediaWorks is looking for a new director of sales for TV3 and Four after current director Linda Farrelly resigned to take a six-month time out.

The broadcaster said Ms Farrelly would return in a consultancy capacity later in the year. 

She led the sales division through a number of important developments and had been part of the launch of MediaWorks Integration, a sales team focussed on securing revenue through brand-funded content such as New Zealand’s Next Top Model, MediaWorks said. Ms Farrelly has been with MediaWorks for more than a decade and was appointed director of sales in September 2010, before which she was general manager of national sales.

Ms Farrelly planned to take a holiday for about six months and travel during this time, MediaWorks publicity manager Rachel Lorimer said.

She had been at MediaWorks for over 16 years, including a decade as general manager of sales and two years as director of sales, she said.

The broadcaster said the resignation comes as it recorded year-on-year growth of 2.7% for the quarter ending December 2011.