Granada exec defects to Fremantle

Fremantle International Distribution has poached Granada International’s drama chief Shane Murphy to be its new head of acquisitions and development. In his new post, Murphy will work closely with independent producers as well as internal production departments to acquire programming for international distribution.

He will also work closely with FID’s international sales team, Fremantle Licensing Worldwide and other RTL Group production companies and subsidiaries, reporting to Mark Gray, who was appointed in February 2004 as vp of coproductions and acquisitions.

Murphy has more than 12 years experience in international TV. At Granada, he was head of drama programming. He has also worked at Carlton International, looking after UK sales and factual copros and acquisitions.

Gray said: “Its vital for us to attract the very best independent producers and their innovative programming. Shane has a great knack of seeking out the finest projects and has a huge ability to develop and sustain long-term working relationships with programme suppliers across all genres.”

FID also unveiled its factual slate for the upcoming MipTV today. Programming includes Talkback’s Poisoned (1×60′), a new documentary for Sky1 that takes the viewer on a journey into the secret world of assassination by poisoning.

Others include Pangolin Pictures’ Killer Ice (1×60′) and Violent Hawaii (1×60′). Both docs were produced for WNET/PBS in the US. Killer Ice documents the power ice has to disrupt our lives, while Violent Hawaii details how those islands have been shaped over centuries by the destructive powers of the earth and sea.