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Universal International Studios promotes Ed Harvard to lead unscripted

NBCUniversal (NBCU)-owned Universal International Studios (UIS) has promoted Ed Havard to lead unscripted programming out of the UK.

Ed Havard

Havard, former VP of creative partnerships for Universal Studio Group (USG), will now spearhead unscripted efforts for UIS as senior VP of creative for unscripted programming.

Based in London and reporting to head of studio David O’Donoghue, Havard will be responsible for leading the studio’s unscripted strategy in the UK, building on the studio’s strategic partnerships with creators, producers and on-screen talent to source shows with global scale and appeal.

Harvard will be tasked with tapping further into NBCU’s talent roster and library of IP, identifying new opportunities to build on the company’s unscripted brands and foster further creative partnerships between Monkey, Matchbox Pictures, the studio’s formats division and Universal Television Alternative Studio.

Havard, who joined NBCU from Channel 4 in 2019, last year fostered a development partnership between the BBC and NBCU to identify and fund ambitious, platform-defining ideas from UK-based indies with transatlantic potential.

Prior to joining NBCU, Havard spent seven years at Channel 4 in various roles, including head of entertainment and TV events.

He began his career at the BBC, where he went on to become the editor of BBC One’s Question Time and executive producer for BBC arts and entertainment.

O’Donoghue, head of UIS, said: “Ed is a highly respected and gifted creative executive, with a flair for identifying great shows with global potential and fostering talent both on- and off-screen. Under his leadership, we will supercharge our stellar unscripted business and continue to break new ground with our programming.”

Havard added: “The scale and ambition of unscripted programming across NBCU is extraordinary. I can’t wait to drive this next phase of growth in our unscripted strategy, ensuring that UIS remains the home for the most exciting ideas and talent in the UK and international market.”

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