Ex-WGBH, BBC Exec Takes Top Spot at Mentorn

LONDON, November 2: Former WGBH and BBC executive John
Willis has been tapped as group creative director at Tinopolis and CEO of its
production subsidiary Mentorn.

Willis is a former programming director at Channel 4, MD of
LWT and United Productions, VP of national programs at WGBH and most recently
the BBC’s director of factual and learning. He takes up his new post this
month.

Ron Jones, the executive chairman of Tinopolis, noted, “John
has an unrivalled track record of identifying and overseeing talent, successful
programs and formats across the factual, drama and entertainment genres and
we’re really pleased to have him join us. His vast experience in the U.K. and
internationally, commissioning programs as diverse as Four Weddings and a
Funeral, Planet Earth, Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush and The Secret Policeman will be invaluable to Mentorn and the Tinopolis
Group as a whole as we continue to grow the business.”

Willis is particularly keen to grow Mentorn’s business in
the drama and format arenas, and to boost its business stateside. He noted, “I’m
really looking forward to expanding Mentorn’s output, particularly in the
popular drama and formatted entertainment genres. With my background at WGBH,
I’m also keen for Mentorn to expand its activities in the U.S., building on
recent successes such as Bravo's re-commission of the reality series Work
Out, and the second series of Oil
Sweat and Tears for the Discovery Channel.”