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VIS hires UK unscripted head

Viacom International Studios (VIS) UK has appointed a former ITV Studios and BBC exec as head of non-scripted programming for the UK – a newly created role within the company.

Richard Hastings

Richard Hastings will oversee the development, creation and production of all of VIS’ unscripted content in the UK, as well as for third-party clients.

Hastings will start his new role this coming February and will build a team of non-scripted programmemakers to work alongside commissioners to grow existing brands as well as developing new series. He will report to Jill Offman, managing director of VIS UK.

The new exec joins VIS UK from ITV-owned MultiStory Media (formerly known as Shiver) where he was creative director working on commissions for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 among others. He was involved in the creation and production of titles including ITV’s All Star Musicals, Britain’s Best Junior Doctors for the BBC and My Millionaire Migrant Boss for Channel 4.

Prior to ITV, Hastings was head of factual entertainment development and executive producer at BBC Entertainment.

Offman said: “Richard has an impressive track record for creating non-scripted content for both in-house and third-party commissioners and brings with him significant expertise and invaluable experience.

“Richard joins us at a time of ambitious growth and having someone dedicated to non-scripted will not only drive our award-winning production studios to the next level but ensure that we deliver the highest quality programming to audiences across the UK and beyond.”

Last week Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) appointed Pierluigi Gazzolo as president of OTT International and VIS.

Gazzolo, who has worked at Viacom since 2009, is currently president of VIMN Americas and executive VP of Nickelodeon International. Under his leadership, VIS was launched following the 2016 acquisitions of Telefe and Porta dos Fundos.

In his new role, Gazzolo will initially focus on accelerating the rollout of streaming service Pluto TV across international markets, starting with its Latin America launch in early 2020.

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