4Sales appoints Simon Kearney to AFP Shorts production role

15 December 2015

4Sales today announced it has appointed Simon Kearney to a newly created Project & Production Lead, All 4 Shorts AFP role within its Partnerships team to ramp up Channel 4’s market leading innovation in advertiser funded premium short form content.

Simon will report to Simon Wells, Channel 4’s Partnership Controller, Content Solutions, and will be chiefly responsible for the development and implementation stages of advertiser funded Shorts series for All 4.

He will work closely with Channel 4’s commissioners, independent production companies and the wider 4Sales team to champion Shorts creative and Channel 4’s editorial values to clients and agencies. He will also manage the day-to-day project and production operations and establish best practice strategies to harness the growth of this popular new branded content format.

Simon has over 15 years production experience specialising in branded content, short films, feature films, documentaries, TV ads and marketing promos. He was previously Head of Production at Gravity Road, where he worked on a number of award-winning productions, which have attracted international acclaim including BAFTA, Cannes Lion, D&AD, Lovies, Webby, Campaign Big and MediaWeek Awards. Before Gravity Road, Simon worked in production roles at Drum PHD, Carson Films, Enteraction TV, Optomen Television and Prolific Film & Television.

Simon Wells said: “Simon brings an enormous range of production and delivery experience to our growing AFP content solutions team. He has an excellent track record in the creation and distribution of high quality TV and digital content, working closely with brands, and we’re looking forward to having his expertise on board as this format rapidly builds momentum.”

Simon Kearney said: “All 4 Shorts is building momentum and I’m looking forward to joining the excellent team at Channel 4 and bringing my experience of working with the pioneers at Gravity Road to continue creating engaging content for brands and entertaining formats for audiences.”

Mark Eaves, co-founder of Gravity Road, added: “Simon’s contribution to Gravity Road has been epic and he’ll always be a friend of the company. We’ll miss his occasionally cheerful face around the office.”

Channel 4’s original Shorts are a huge hit with viewers with full views to Shorts series now over 11.5 million since the format launched last year. Series funded by advertisers have been particularly successful including recent shows What Not To Do with Scope, Helluva Tour with Fosters and My Pop-up Restaurant with Samsung Home Appliances. New AFP Shorts series launching very soon include Phil Spencer: Home Hero with British Gas and Chelsea Style Secrets with Rimmel London.

Simon joins the channel in January.

 

Notes to editors

• Channel 4’s Shorts uniquely offer advertisers the chance to co-create engaging video content for its premium TV VOD service All 4 with Channel 4’s experienced programme commissioning team, alongside access to both on and off-screen talent