RTÉ finds new formats head

RTÉ Global, the commercial arm of the Irish pubcaster, has promoted one of its production executives to head of formats.

Janet Frawley has been tasked with growing RTÉ Global’s format portfolio and leading its Format Farm initiative, which develops and co-finances original Irish TV format ideas for domestic and international audiences.

Format Farm was re-launched in 2012 and sees RTÉ commission five original pilots a year which are then aired to test their market appeal.

The best concepts are taken directly to series and notable success stories so far include Exiles, an unscripted docuseries from Dublin-based Straywave Media that follows young Irish emigrants as they attempt to launch their careers in Canada.

Frawley has spent the past six years working with RTÉ as a producer, leading the reorganisation of the broadcaster’s flagship daytime show Today and working on Ireland’s Search and Rescue.

Prior to that, she worked for ITV Productions in a variety of roles, including head of special events and features on daytime show This Morning.

She replaces Tonyia Dowling, who has become a director on RTÉ primetime soap Fair City.