Aurelius Advisers’ James Duffen to head AI-focused Imaginae Studios for Fremantle

Fremantle has hired James Duffen from Aurelius Advisers as CEO of its new artificial intelligence (AI)-focused division Imaginae Studios.

James Duffen

Duffen will report to Andrea Scrosati, group chief operating officer and CEO of continental Europe, and starts on October 20. He is charged with building the team at the recently announced AI-native studio.

At Aurelius Advisers, he was MD of AI and machine learning, advising early-stage AI companies in the UK, US and EMEA on their sale to global technology groups.

Earlier in his career, he held senior roles in the media, including VP of special projects at Zodiak Media and chief commercial officer at TheRightsXchange, where he drove the platform’s launch and growth, raised investment and secured partnerships with studios and distributors.

Scrosati said: “With his deep expertise in AI and his connections across the AI ecosystem, James is the perfect executive to lead this new venture that will build a unique opportunity for a completely new generation of creative talent to explore, experiment and produce content.”

“The entertainment industry is standing at the start of something extraordinary,” Duffen added. “Having spent my career at the crossroads of media and technology, I’ve seen how new ideas can reshape entire industries. AI isn’t here to eclipse human imagination but to amplify it and to expand what’s possible. Imaginae was founded on that belief – that technology and artistry, working together, can shape the next chapter of storytelling.”