Fremantle Australia Names Joel Williams Head of Kids

Fremantle has appointed Joel Williams head of kids as it makes a strategic move into children’s content in Australia.

In his new role, Williams will be working with Australian and international broadcasters to assess market requirements and to build a development slate of local youth-focused productions. He will collaborate with talent, agents, writers and producers in Australia to source kids’ content that Fremantle can bring to both the local and international marketplace.

Williams, who will report into Jennifer Collins, Fremantle’s director of content, joins the company from The Walt Disney Company, where he served as head of programming, content and consumer engagement. He’s also worked at Nickelodeon and has experience across free-to-air networks, subscription, VOD, social video and digital platforms.

Chris Oliver-Taylor, CEO in the Asia Pacific for Fremantle, and Collins said: “We are thrilled to have secured someone of Joel’s caliber to help us understand the global children’s content market and our potential place in it. Joel has been tasked to work with his incredible contacts around the world to source great ideas and projects that will entertain Australian children and children around the world. We’re also thrilled to now have the potential to partner with local independent producers on children’s content and tell uniquely Australian stories for a youth audience.”

Williams added: “I am super excited to be working with Fremantle on the development of their kids’ slate. Fremantle’s reputation as a creative powerhouse will ensure we produce outstanding children’s content for the Australian market that has broad global appeal.”