ABC alum Craig joins MSP in creative role

UK-based Mallinson Sadler Productions (MSP) has appointed a former head of factual at ABC in Australia and chief creative officer at Discovery Networks International (DNI) as its creative director.

Phil Craig

Phil Craig, who will serve as joint creative director at MSP along with the prodco’s chief Crispin Sadler, recently worked at MSP as exec producer on National Geographic Channel’s series Drain the Oceans, which is airing in 172 countries and 43 languages.

Prior to that, Craig worked at Jane Root’s prodco Nutopia and Brook Lapping, having also worked for ABC down under. He left his chief creative officer position at DNI in 2015.

Sadler said: “Phil made a huge contribution to the last series of Drain the Oceans and I’m delighted to welcome him into MSP as a partner and collaborator.

“Based on his long history of generating successful TV ideas I feel certain that he will help us dream up and deliver many exciting new projects.”

Craig added: “There’s a huge appetite out there for what I used to call ‘clever pleasure’ at the ABC, content that is a treat, that stimulates and educates without ever feeling like homework. I’d characterise a lot of my earlier work like this and I’m looking forward to working with Crispin and the terrific team at MSP to create a whole lot more.”

He is the latest arrival at MSP, which recently hired head of production Kathy Hale, who previously executive produced AETN/Netflix series I Am a Killer.

Craig and Hale will head the company’s new London office, working alongside its established production bases in Bristol and Glasgow.