Project: Wingspan Air & Space Channel (1997-1999)

Summary: I was headhunted in 1997 to create and run the UK division of Wingspan Air & Space Channel – the International TV company who made 80% of the Discovery Channel ‘Wings’ aviation programming.

Challenges: to create the UK channel inside 6 months on a tight budget, source and recruit staff, suppliers and offices to and achieve creative excellence and commercial success in a highly competitive market.

My role: meet the channel strategic and creative objectives on time to budget; be content editor for all UK programmes and plan the strategic marketing for the channel. Management role: managing suppliers, content, Staff, location, equipment and service contracts (including satellite uplink). Editorial role: develop entertaining and engaging content for news, features and documentaries. Quality role: ensuring alignment with the technical and creative guidelines of both Discovery channel and OFCOM, and implement evaluation procedures. Business development role: identify and negotiate opportunities for increased revenue streams with UK broadcasters, DVD and video-on-demand providers.

     Outcome: I ran the UK division for two years, 

     achieving operational and commercial success,

     enabling a channel sale price to Discovery of $16 

     million in 1999.