Remedy Gets New Chief Creative Officer & Executive Editor

LONDON: Argonon’s Remedy Productions has added Tom Blakeson and Suzanne Gilfillan to its management team.

The company named Tom Blakeson as its new chief creative officer, effective in September. He will report to Juliet Borges, Remedy’s joint managing director, and he will be expected to help the company grow into the game-show formats and interactive entertainment arenas. 

Blakeson previously served as the head of entertainment for formats at Endemol’s Remarkable Television. Before that he spent half a dozen years as an executive producer for Endemol.

Borges commented: "We’re delighted to welcome one of the industry’s most talented producers to Remedy. Tom’s award-winning credentials in creating pioneering multiplatform formats will be invaluable as we seek to expand into new genres of programming."

"Tom’s track record of delivering world-class interactive entertainment formats is unrivaled and this appointment will be crucial as we embark on the next phase of our hugely exciting expansion plans," said James Burstall, the CEO of Argonon. "Remedy Productions are already the U.K.’s most successful indie producer of youth and music programming; this appointment turbo-charges our move into the interactive entertainment space."

Blakeson added: "The creative ambition for Remedy aligned with Argonon’s international reach make this a hugely exciting role. My remit is to work closely with the team at Remedy to develop innovative and engaging new formats for both the U.K. and international markets. My aim is to use my experience of working with talented teams on some of the U.K.’s best known formats to drive further success for Argonon."

In addition to Blakeson’s appointment, Suzanne Gilfillan has been hired as an executive editor for Remedy Productions. In her new role she will be charged with the development of entertainment formats for the company. She will report to Blakeson.

Gilfillan used to be a commissioning executive at the BBC, where she worked for more than two decades.

"We’re delighted to welcome such a talented and hugely respected entertainment executive to the world class creative pool here at Remedy," said Borges. "Suzanne’s track record of delivering popular and talked about comedy and entertainment formats, aligned with her passion for the genres, will help us significantly as we look to develop and expand our slate of programs."

Mark Linsey, BBC’s controller of entertainment commissioning whom Gilfillan used to work under, remarked: "Suzanne’s strong relationships and creativity, combined with her sound editorial judgement, will be an asset to the indie world and I look forward to collaborating again in her new role."

Gilfillan said: "It’s very exciting joining Remedy and the international Argonon team at this particular time, especially in the wake of Remedy winning the number one slot for U.K. Entertainment Producer in the Broadcast Indie Survey. They’re an incredibly dynamic and energetic company with a great reputation in youth and entertainment programming. With the support and international outlook of Argonon, there is a huge opportunity to build on their previous successes and I look forward to working closely with the team to develop great entertainment and comedy entertainment shows."