Glasgow-based indie IWC, part of the Banijay Group, has hired Mark Downie as Creative Director.
Based in Glasgow, he will be responsible for overseeing and driving IWC’s creative output to expand its existing popular and specialist factual slate.
Downie has freelanced for the past year, serving as Executive Producer on ITV’s RTS-nominated Gordon Ramsay on Cocaine and Development Executive at Label1 and 7Wonder where he has been creating new popular factual and documentary series.
Downie joined the freelance world from Maverick Television, where, between 2013 and 2016, he was Chief Creative Officer, having begun there as Executive Producer in 2006. During his tenure, he drove development, production and multi-platform content creation, launching titles including Embarrassing Bodies (C4), Bizarre E.R. (BBC Three), The Truth About Sugar (BBC One), Billy Connolly’s Route 66 (ITV), Born Naughty? (C4), Nurses (C5), Stephen Fry: Out There (BBC Two) and oversaw CBBC’s Operation Ouch!
With a background in both production and commissioning, Downie has also held roles at the BBC and Channel 4, where he was Editor, Daytime and Deputy Commissioning Editor, Features. It was at Channel 4 where he commissioned shows including Come Dine With Me, Deal or No Deal and Coach Trip.
As Creative Director, Downie will report to Peter Langenberg (Group COO and interim Managing Director, IWC).
Peter Langenberg said: “It is fantastic to be welcoming Mark to join IWC. With a proven track record in both production and commissioning, there is no doubt he has the creative expertise to build IWC’s slate of returning brands to position the business for a successful future.”
Mark Downie added: “I’ve long admired the range and richness of IWC’s output. It’s great to be heading home to Glasgow at what feels like a time of real opportunity for content-creators in Scotland and I’m thrilled to be leading the next phase of this formidable company’s development and growth.”
Jon Creamer
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