ITN Productions appoints international programming boss

UK-based ITN Productions has hired Ian Russell as head of international programmes.

Russell has worked at various UK productions companies and broadcasters. At free-to-air commercial broadcaster Channel 5 he was commissioning editor and subsequently served stints as director, coproductions, at Cineflix.

His recent credits as an exec producer include Discovery’s Car vs Wild and Barcroft Productions’ Amanda Knox Trial: 5 Key Questions.

The role at ITN is newly-created, and Russell is tasked with developing ITN Productions’ programme ideas and existing formats for the US and other markets. He will work across the current affairs, documentary, crime and entertainment genres.

“Ian’s international pedigree makes him the ideal person to spearhead our concerted push into the US and other markets,” said Mark Browning, managing director of ITN Productions. “His vast experience in production, commissioning and securing funding for great programmes will add real firepower to ITN’s international offering.”

Russell said, “Taking existing programmes and new formats from this burgeoning production business to the international market is an exciting and tantalising prospect.”