91Èȱ¬

The 91Èȱ¬ today announced the last of three independent factual commissioning executive producer appointments under the 91Èȱ¬'s Network Supply strategy. Sam Anthony is to be the Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producer, Scotland, in a role aimed at bolstering commissions in the Nations.

Reporting to Emma Swain, Head of Knowledge Commissioning, and Donalda MacKinnon, Head of Programmes, 91Èȱ¬ Scotland, Sam will build relationships with Scotland's independent production companies and talent, help develop ideas with them and, once commissioned by the Knowledge Commissioning Editors, Sam will executive produce the programmes on behalf of the 91Èȱ¬.

Through Sam, independent production companies based in Scotland will have more face-to-face time with commissioning and a champion to sell their ideas directly to the Commissioning Editors.

Sam Anthony is an executive producer and senior manager with almost 20 years of experience.

Beginning his career as a researcher for Janet Street-Porter at 91Èȱ¬ Youth Programmes, Sam has gone on to produce a wide range of programmes, from features and formats to hard-hitting documentary.

He comes to the 91Èȱ¬ fresh from working with former head of 91Èȱ¬ Two and Discovery Networks, Jane Root, on the foundation of her new production company Nutopia and the setting up of their first commission, a 12-part landmark series for the US called The History Of America – The Story Of Us.

Formerly, Sam was creative director of Factual at Shine, as well as Controller of Factual and Features at Granada Yorkshire, and acting Senior Vice President of RDF Media Los Angeles.

His credits in the UK include Don't Tell The Bride (91Èȱ¬ Three), Murder Squad (ITV1), Ship Mates (91Èȱ¬ One), Project Catwalk (Sky One), and The Clothes Show (UK Style).

In the US Sam worked on Junkyard Wars (TLC) and Faking It USA (TLC).

He says: "I am delighted to be offered this exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to working with the independent producers in Scotland to deliver successful network commissions for the 91Èȱ¬."

Emma Swain says: "Sam is a great talent – I am really looking forward to seeing him building the talent and ideas in Scotland and I know he will do an excellent job of ensuring growth for independents in that region."

Donalda MacKinnon says: "91Èȱ¬ Scotland has already established a well-earned reputation as a provider of high-quality factual output both for audiences here in Scotland and throughout the UK. Sam's appointment should allow us to build on that for our audiences.

"The combination of our in-house team under Andrea Miller and Sam's advocacy of the independent sector augurs well for the Scottish creative sector."

Anne Morrison, 91Èȱ¬'s Controller, Network Production, says: "Sam's appointment is excellent news for the growth of factual indies in Scotland. This new role is a key part of the 91Èȱ¬'s ambitious strategy to help strengthen and develop the indie sector in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland."

On 15 October 2008, in a speech to the Royal Television Society, Jana Bennett, Director of Vision, announced the 91Èȱ¬'s commitment to increasing television network production to 50% from outside London by 2016.

Network production from Scotland is expected to increase in line with its share of the UK population (3.3% to around 9%) by 2016.

The three new Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producer roles will be based in Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast.

The 91Èȱ¬ already has some Commissioning Executive Producers based in the Nations and Regions fulfilling a similar role to Sam for other genres.

A Commissioning Executive for Comedy and a Commissioning Executive for Daytime (and early peak) are already based in Manchester.

As part of the Network Supply Strategy, Alan Tyler was recently announced as Executive Editor, Entertainment Commissioning, for Scotland and Northern Ireland, based in Scotland; Nick Shearman was recently announced as Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producer, Network, for Wales; James Hayes was recently announced as Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producer, Northern Ireland; and Jo Street was recently announced as Executive Producer, Daytime, based in Scotland, looking after both in-house and independent daytime commissions in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

JIW