Renowned names MD, studios boss

London- and LA-based prodco Renowned Films has promoted its chief operating officer to MD and hired a Love Island commissioner as its studios head.

Mark Raeburn

Mark Raeburn has been upped to MD, tasked with overseeing the company’s overall strategy and day-to-day operations with a focus on the UK.

The promotion is a result of CEO Max Welch’s decision to split his time between the UK and US, effective immediately, as he continues to grow the US side of the business.

Raeburn, who joined Renowned in 2018 as its first chief operating officer, said: “It has been an amazing experience working for such a young, exciting, diverse and dynamic company, with a talented group of creatives.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve become the fourth fastest-growing production company in the UK, won Edinburgh’s Indie of the year and produced more thanc 40 hours of content across both sides of the pond.”

Kate Maddigan

Additionally, former Channel 4 commissioner Kate Maddigan has joined the Renowned ranks as head of studios. In her new role, she will oversee the prodco’s global production and output.

Maddigan was most recently head of entertainment at London-based factual prodco Little Gem. She was previously part of the ITV commissioning team, overseeing the Love Island reboot and The X Factor.

Before that, Maddigan had a stint as commissioning editor at Channel 4, where she worked on titles such as Lego Masters and Celebs Go Dating.

Prior tp moving into commissioning, Maddigan served as series and exec producer on entertainment titles such as Strictly Come Dancing, Got to Dance and Eurovision: Your Country Needs You.

“I’ve kept an eye on the team at Renowned since they launched the company and always admired their creativity and youthful outlook,” Maddigan said.

“In a market that’s so focused on the younger demo, I can’t wait to blend my experience with the Renowned team’s energy to form a force to be reckoned with.”