FremantleMedia UK Launches Digital Label

LONDON: FremantleMedia UK (FMUK) has set up a new digital label called Shotglass Media, to be led by former head of FremantleMedia UK Interactive Kat Hebden.

The new company will focus on creating innovative digital experiences for fans and brands, as well as encompass all digital and social media activity for such FremantleMedia UK programs as Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor. Additionally, Hebden and her team will be charged with growing the slate of food and sports content, and will also develop and produce in other key verticals such as gaming, travel, music, entertainment and automotive.

Hebden will report to interim FMUK CEO Richard Holloway. Her senior team will include Audrey Lang, the head of business development; James Cooper, the executive producer of original programming; and Neil Smythe, the head of sport. The team will work alongside FremantleMedia and RTL Group digital companies including Divimove, as well as RTL Group’s MCNs StyleHaul and Broadband TV.

Holloway commented, “This is a very exciting time for FremantleMedia UK. The media landscape is changing so rapidly, and while we’ve already been at the forefront of these changes, we’re now making even more investment in digital media to increase our activity. Kat is an unstoppable force and in her hands, Shotglass will become the benchmark for digital content companies.”

Hebden added, “FremantleMedia has become a key player in digital content, and I’m delighted to be leading the next push in the U.K. Not only do we have a strong team here in the U.K., but FremantleMedia as a group has an impressive digital presence and we’ll continue the heritage of producing locally whilst using our global network to share best practices, relationships and, where appropriate, cross-border content for fans and brands.”