EXCLUSIVE: The News Agents maker Global has found its studio boss.
Craig Hunter, a creative director at Criminal Record producer STV Studios, has been handpicked by former STV boss Simon Pitts, who now runs Global.
Hunter, an ex-BBC commissioner, will be MD of the newly-launched Global Studios, which were unveiled last year when Global – the self-described largest radio company in the UK and Europe – acquired The Fellas Studios. It has since bought Gary Neville’s media company The Overlap.
Working closely with Pitts, Hunter will lead creative and commercial growth at Global Studios both in the UK and internationally, while overseeing partnerships with The Fellas and The Overlap. The studio is dedicated to video-first podcast content and also houses Global’s hit pods like Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel’s The News Agents and My Therapist Ghosted Me. It was described as a “one-stop-shop for creators” at launch.
Hunter has been Creative Director of Factual at STV Studios for seven years, working across the likes of Channel 4’s Murder Island and the BBC’s Unvaccinated. He also oversaw the growth of STV’s antiques programming slate from two series to seven. STV said the search for his successor has begun. He was previously the BBC’s lead commissioning editor for natural history, working on Blue Planet Live and Inside the Factory.
Pitts, who ran STV for six years, called him an “outstanding creative leader.” “I’ve seen firsthand how effectively Craig leads teams and develops new shows into successful, returning brands and I’m excited that he’ll be bringing that same creativity, expertise and ambition to Global.
Hunter added: “I’ve loved every second of my time at STV Studios and I’m hugely proud of my team and the shows and brands we’ve built together. I’m excited to be leading one of the industry’s most dynamic digital content businesses and I’m looking forward to working with Simon, James and the talented team at Global to build the next chapter of success.”
STV Studios CEO David Mortimer said: “We wish Craig continued success in his new role and we’re excited about appointing a new leader of STV Studios Factual to take this successful nations and regions powerhouse of production into its next phase of growth.”
Led by the popularity of The News Agents, Global, which also runs a range of radio networks, has been expanding of late. The Overlap acquisition was its splashiest deal yet. The media company is run by former England and Manchester United soccer player Gary Neville and says it gets more than 38 million monthly views on YouTube.