Unedited makes two senior appointments ahead of its Pilot Season
Award winning Exec Maxine Watson and industry veteran Pat Younge have been appointed by Unedited.
They join the audio company as it prepares to launch Pilot Season, the inaugural showcase of its new offerings.
Maxine Watson, MD of Black Ruby Pictures, will be Unedited’s Creative Executive, supporting their push into original documentaries and formats. She led BBC Documentaries Commissioning, has been responsible for a host of high-profile programmes across documentary, drama and factual entertainment.
A former Head of Production for Warner Brothers’ indie, Twenty Twenty, and currently Executive Producer for Nutopia’s upcoming Netflix series African Queens, her credits include BAFTA-winning Who Do You Think You Are?, A House Through Time and The Great Pottery Throw Down; high-profile documentaries Long Way Round and Tough Young Teachers; and dramas including The Scandalous Lady W, Shirley Bassey and Mrs Mandela.
Watson will work with Unedited alongside her continuing work in television and takes up her role in March.
Pat Younge has joined the board of Unedited, following an investment to support the company’s push into the creation of its own IP.
A Former Chief Creative Officer at the BBC and President/General Manager of US cable network, Travel Channel Media, Younge is currently a Non-Executive Director at ITV Studios Ltd, Chair of the Cardiff University governing body and has his own label, Skin In The Game Studios Ltd. He also co-founded award-winning independent production companies, Sugar Films and Cardiff Productions.
Bernard Achampong, Founder, Unedited, says: “Our recent success with the Sounds of Black Britain podcast and 1Xtra’s Throwback Party show that formats really work for audio audiences.
“Our creative ambitions span all genres particularly formats – a hot-bed of IP development across the broadcast industry. Our shift to originals is also about creating space for new voices and ideas and we have the creative crossover between audio and television very much in our sights.
“We are thrilled to have both Maxine and Pat on board. Maxine has been responsible for some of Britain’s most popular documentary formats. She has built an outstanding network of talent and her reputation for storytelling and innovation makes her a very exciting addition to our senior team.
“Pat is one of the most well-connected leaders in the industry, and his investment to develop our original IP slate speaks to the growing potential of the podcast world for showcasing new talent and ideas. The launch of Pilot Season demonstrates our commitment – both financially and creatively – in this area.”
Maxine Watson adds: “I have known the guys at Unedited for some time now so can say with certainty that they are best in class. They are also perfectly placed to take advantage of the boom in interest in audio, not only as a creative force in its own right, but as an incubator of standout ideas for the screen and stage.
“It’s a very exciting time for the company and I look forward to the creative and commercial opportunities that lie ahead.”
Pat Younge comments: “Unedited is a trailblazing podcast company that’s black-owned and black-led with a reputation for top quality, award-winning work. I’m backing their shift into original podcasts and formats because, despite all the diversity initiatives, we need a much bigger shift in the stories being told and the people empowered to tell them. This is a great way to achieve that.”
Launching 13 March, Pilot Season, Unedited’s format showcase sees the launch of five new titles and will be available on all podcast platforms.