Cineflix Taps Five Commissioner for Programming Team

LONDON: Cineflix Productions has appointed Ian Russell, Five’s commissioning editor for news, current affairs and documentaries, as director of co-production and executive producer.

Taking up his new role in September, Russell will be responsible for generating co-productions and presales in Europe as well as executive producing programming across all of the company’s genres. He will work closely with creative director Rob Carey and will be a key member of the company’s senior programming team.

Carey commented, “Ian is not only an accomplished broadcaster but also a programme maker with an excellent track record of producing popular hit series and engaging documentaries. These skills combined with his contacts and an excellent understanding of the European broadcast market mean that Ian will play a key part in the continued growth of Cineflix.”

Russell said: “Television today is about partnerships. It’s this understanding which helps account for the amazing creative and commercial success of Cineflix over the past few years. I look forward to playing a part in the company’s ongoing growth.”

As Five’s commissioning editor for news, current affairs and documentaries since 2002, Russell has been responsible for large-scale co-productions such as Diana Last Days of a Princess and series such as Return of the Tribe.

Five’s chairman and CEO, Dawn Airey, said of his departure: "Ian has creative flair and an entrepreneurial approach to deal making. I wish him all the best in his new role."