The Guardian announces Derren Lawford as executive producer for Guardian Studios, the new creative hub for video-first, personality-led journalism
The Guardian announces Derren Lawford as executive producer for Guardian Studios, the new creative hub for video-first, personality-led journalism
The Guardian today (Monday 7 September) announced Derren Lawford as executive producer, development at Guardian Studios - a new creative hub for video-first, personality-led journalism.
Derren is an award-winning creative and editorial leader with a wealth of experience working across broadcast, streaming and digital-first platforms.
He began his career as a journalist, spending over 10 years at the BBC. He then went on to launch a content division with award-winning social enterprise and marketing agency Livity before joining the launch team at London Live as a commissioner specialising in documentaries and breaking new, diverse and online talent. At Woodcut Media he helped drive their growth and editorial strategy, including a trio of documentaries bought by Netflix.
Most recently Derren was the founder of DARE Pictures, developing and executive producing across TV and digital, picking up Emerging Indie of the Year at the Broadcast Awards and Best Current Affairs Programme at the Broadcast Digital Awards. He will start in the role on 7 September.
Guardian Studios is a new production arm within the organisation which will create compelling new visual formats, reach new audiences and foster on-screen talent. It also represents a cornerstone of the news brand’s multi-year transformation programme.
Head of Guardian Studios, Leah Green said:
“Derren is an amazing addition to the Guardian Studios team. We are extremely lucky to have someone with such deep experience in both television and digital platforms, who understands the audience and on-screen talent as much as he does. I’m delighted to welcome him to the Guardian Studios team.”
Derren Lawford said:
“I’ve always loved development whether it’s for TV or digital platforms and I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in launches in both spaces, so the opportunity to join the Guardian as it reimagines how its journalism reaches new audiences with compelling, convergent and curious new formats is a dream job for me.”
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For more information or to request interviews please contact media.enquiries@theguardian.com.
About Guardian Media Group
Guardian Media Group is one of the world’s largest and most-trusted quality newsbrands, publisher of the Guardian, theguardian.com and the Guardian app.
Founded over 200 years ago, the Guardian now serves audiences through five editions: Australia, Europe, International, UK and US. With no billionaire owner, the Guardian is renowned for its fearless investigative journalism, holding power to account and amplifying the stories that need to be told. Its independent ownership structure means it is free from political or commercial influence.
Today, millions of people worldwide choose the Guardian’s journalism every day and more than two million readers across 180 countries have supported the Guardian’s work.
Audiences can listen to the Guardian’s top-rated podcasts, watch its award-winning documentaries and interact with its growing digital portfolio, from a premium live news app to the recipe app Feast.