BBC’s Linsey expands role to head content partnerships

BBC Studios has revealed that from September chief creative officer Mark Linsey (pictured) will take charge of its portfolio of production relationships.

Linsey will now manage partnerships with indies and BBC Studios Production, while remaining in his role as chief creative officer. He will relinquish his responsibilities as BBC Studios Production lead, however.

A new director of content will be recruited to steer the editorial strategy for BBC Studios Production in the UK. This new role will work closely alongside Anna Mallett, MD of production, who will have overall accountability for BBC Studios Production’s business and operations, as well as international production and formats.

Both roles will report to BBC Studios CEO, Tim Davie.

This is in “accelerated ambition to develop [the BBC’s] IP pipeline”, according to the pubcaster.

In addition to overseeing the company’s IP strategy and pipleline, Linsey will also take charge of the BBC Studios’ content partnerships team, which will itself see its remit raised to better meet the challenge of growing the value of BBC Studios content across wholly owned production and indie partners.

Three new content partnership leadership roles are also being created as a result of these changes. Liam Keelan, currently director, scripted, content partnerships, will take on the role of scripted portfolio director.

Mark Reynolds, currently director, unscripted, content partnerships, will assume the role of unscripted portfolio director, and there is a yet-to-be-filled role for a new form portfolio director position to lead editorial strategy for content and platforms.

Reporting directly to Linsey, these enhanced roles will be responsible for providing industry-leading creative and commercial support to BBC Studios’ full range of production partners, bringing new talent and new content opportunities into the business, and building broader, more strategic relationships with key commissioning customers by representing the commercial arm’s full portfolio of producers.

They will be charged with shaping BBC Studios’ creative direction, and the company’s view on what customers and audiences will want both now and in the future.

Davie said: “The media customer market has already changed so much; specifically in the digital space, and we are also seeing competitors increasing looking to strike deals directly with the creative talent. It’s imperative that we continue to develop our IP pipeline.

“Mark’s more than 20 years’ experience in the indie sector and his variety of senior roles within the BBC including controller of entertainment commissioning and deputy director for BBC Television affords us the greatest opportunity to develop this area of our business significantly under his direction.”