WildBear Entertainment restructures leadership for global growth push

L-R: Craig Meade, Michael Tear, Harriet Pike, Serge Ou and Alan Erson

Australian factual producer WildBear Entertainment has revealed a new leadership team as part of a strategic restructure, with Serge Ou named head of creative services and former ABC exec Alan Erson appointed MD and head of premium television.

The reshuffle is part of WildBear’s plans to accelerate global growth, diversify revenue streams and ready the company for “the next era of factual content creation.”

Under company co-founder and CEO Michael Tear, the new-look leadership comprises an eight-strong team. Joint co-founder Serge Ou will oversee the studio’s creative capabilities across production, post-production, design and visual effects.

Meanwhile, award-winning producer and former ABC head of documentary and factual Alan Erson will lead WildBear’s premium factual slate and creative strategy in his newly created role.

Executive producer Craig Meade has been promoted to head of international TV, while Harriet Pike takes on a new role as chief strategy and growth officer, overseeing international activities. Her expanded remit includes digital and post services, catalogue and rights and commercial growth.

Meade and Pike will work with WildBear’s long-term international partner Wild Thring Media to identify new commissioning opportunities, strengthen coproduction relationships and maximise the global commercial potential of WildBear content.

Rounding out the new senior team are Caroline Nicols, chief financial officer; Matt Nightingale, head of production; and Miranda Kelly, head of production finance.

WildBear employs more than 100 people across five locations in Australia and New Zealand, producing and distributing around 150 hours of factual content annually. Its titles include Stuff the British Stole, Rise of the Dictators, Wildlife ER and Gem Hunters Down Under.

Tear said: “The new leadership structure brings together some of the strongest creative and commercial talent in Australia and sends a clear message to the market about our abilities and intentions.

“It gives us the focus to continue producing bold, world-class factual content at scale – telling ambitious true stories for a range of audiences – while expanding internationally, building new partnerships and creating greater long-term cross-platform value from our intellectual property, rights and creative services.”