Arenamedia Expands with Three Appointments

Australia’s Arenamedia is bolstering its team through the appointment of Robert Patterson as executive producer, Louise Gough as head of development and Rachel Connors to handle projects in the U.K.

Patterson will oversee the full slate of Arenamedia productions. Gough will manage the company’s commissions across film and TV content. Based in London, Connors will produce and oversee Arenamedia’s projects in the U.K.

Robert Connolly, Arenamedia’s founder, writer, director and producer, said: “Arenamedia has a reputation for creating landmark content of the highest quality. With the demand for innovative content greater now than it has ever been, the appointment of Robert, Louise and Rachel to these key roles will position us to increase our capacity while maintaining the standards of excellence for which we are known.

“Robert’s unique skill-set, impeccable creative instinct, commercial acumen and global network of contacts will be a huge asset to Arenamedia. In this role, he will facilitate a greater capacity for Arenamedia to increase the number of productions in development, including co-productions and partnerships. Robert’s background in music also represents the opportunity for Arenamedia to develop a range of music-rich content for global platforms.”

Patterson commented, “I am delighted to join Arenamedia to work with such a great team and amazing content. With so many incredible projects in development it is a privilege to work alongside the wonderful creatives, production partners, platforms and funding bodies behind each of them. I’m excited and honored to assist Arenamedia in taking these projects to the world.”

Connolly continued, “Louise possesses an extraordinary range of development experience built over two decades working with leading creative organizations in Australia and internationally. She will bring a level of expertise that will benefit all of our projects, enhancing Arenamedia’s reputation for the creation of world-class, distinctive screen content. She is such a respected development practitioner; I am sure that her appointment will be welcomed across the screen content industry.”

Gough said, “I am thrilled to be joining Arenamedia as head of development. I have a deep and long-held regard for Robert Connolly as a writer/director/producer but also for his work in partnering with and supporting tremendous talent and projects. I relish the opportunity to work alongside Robert and the Arenamedia team, to continue to build projects with distinct voices, visionary artists and compelling stories that speak to a domestic and global audience.”

Connolly added, “We are very fortunate to have a producer of Rachel’s caliber representing Arenamedia in the U.K. In addition to overseeing our U.K.-based activities, Rachel’s skills are of enormous benefit to our entire development and production slate. We also look forward to working with Rachel on a number of her own projects, which will be produced with the support of Arenamedia.”

Connors remarked, “I am really excited to be given the opportunity to represent Arenamedia in the U.K. and to collaborate with the wonderful team of storytellers, producers and executives assembled by Robert Connolly. It is a privilege to be a part of this new structure that will not only open doors to new creative and commercial partnerships in Europe, it will also strengthen Arenamedia’s ability to deliver great stories to global audiences.”