Barcroft Studios Taps Former Vice Exec for 4Real Role

The factual indie Barcroft Studios has appointed Al Brown to the newly created position of executive producer of 4Real content.

Brown is tasked with overseeing the content output for 4Real, Channel 4’s youth programming content strand. Together with Sam Barcroft, founder and CEO of Barcroft Studios, he will executive produce over 100 original short-form factual films intended for distribution on social channels.

Brown spent over a decade at Vice UK, joining in 2008. He held an array of positions, including head of video and head of film and TV, culminating in his appointment as VP of programming for Vice Studios, with responsibility for the U.K. division. He was a member of the team responsible for launching the linear pay-TV channel Viceland, online channel Vice News and Vice/Fremantle’s online channel Munchies. Significant projects executive produced by Brown include the global fashion series State of Undress and the LGBTQ series Gaycation.

Brown’s appointment follows the recent announcement that Nerd TV Founder John Farrar has joined Barcroft Studios as creative director, tasked with maximizing the company’s long-form content output.

Barcroft said: “Al is the perfect person to lead our 4Real content output. His experience speaks for itself and he understands what content resonates with younger audiences. We’re excited to welcome Al on board as we seek to further grow our expertise across the business.”

Brown added: “When Sam mentioned the 4Real partnership with Channel 4, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to take a truly blank slate to develop and produce content for the most discerning and important audience out there. I’m looking forward to promoting new voices and championing the best young talent in the industry.”