The Power List 2012
Lucy Lumsden Head of comedy, Sky
Comedy has taken centre stage at Sky following earlier pushes into other genres, with Lucy Lumsden (above) well into her stride as the broadcaster’s first head of comedy. The calm, consid- ered commissioner did not rush to make an immediate impact following her appointment from the BBC in 2009, setting in place a mainstream strategy before executing it with aplomb via Sky 1 series including Stella, The Café, Mount Pleasant and Trollied – all of which will return. Phase two will see her extend her reach both in terms of format and channel. Edgier come- dies are planned, perhaps following in the footsteps of early Sky Atlantic foray This Is Jinsy, with Lumsden clear as to what is required for Sky 1, Living, Atlantic and Arts. Comedy is widely considered the riskiest genre but Lumsden is making it an increasingly safe bet for the broadcaster.
Marchlands and crime vehicles Scott & Bailey and Vera. Mackie can also boast the commission of Downton Abbey – a move initially considered a creative risk, which has since given rise to a global hit that has drawn audiences of up to 11 million for ITV1. She is well respected among the drama commu- nity and, together with drama control- ler Sally Haynes, is looking to wield an extra £30m in spending power for the 2013 schedule in the absence of a major sporting tournament.
transfer of the UK Film Council’s duties to the BFI, but she stepped up to the plate admirably, not only taking on responsibility for the Lottery-backed Film Fund but making solid plans for the BFI’s strategy going forward. In a year of change, she appointed a deputy chief executive, Tim Cagney, as well as saying goodbye to the London Film Festival’s long-running creative director, Sandra Hebron, and two key BFI execu- tives. Nevill oversaw the launch of a new £200,000 film export fund to promote UK films abroad, as well as working closely with the government’s film policy review panel, even managing to fit in a whistle-stop trip to LA to promote the UK as a filming destination.
Elisabeth Murdoch Chairman and chief executive, Shine Group
Laura Mackie Director of drama, ITV
ITV drama is arguably enjoying one of the most confident and fruitful spells in its history under the direction of Laura Mackie (above). The former BBC commissioner has been in the hot seat since 2007, steering ITV’s drama unit through a difficult period of cost-cutting and helping it emerge stronger than ever. Last year, ITV broadcast eight of the top 10 new drama launches, with success coming in the shape of supernatural thriller
6 | The Power List | March 2012
All eyes will be on Elisabeth Murdoch (above) when she gives the MacTaggart Lecture at Edinburgh in August – the first woman to deliver the lecture since Janet Street-Porter in 1995. As the daughter of arguably the most impor- tant man in media, it would have been easy for Murdoch to rest on her laurels. But after a few years at her father’s firm BSkyB, she branched out and created one of the most successful indies in the UK. Shine companies produce some of the best-known properties in the country, from big-hitting dramas such as Spooks and Life On Mars to peren- nials such as T4 and The Wright Stuff – not forgetting megabrand MasterChef. Last year, Murdoch sold Shine to News Corp for a whopping £415m, pocketing more than half herself. Sceptics argue this was over- valued, and it marks a return to the father’s fold, but Ms Murdoch has not taken a seat on the News Corp board and her influence on the media landscape is hard to ignore.
Amanda Nevill Chief executive, BFI
The pressure was on Amanda Nevill (right) in 2011 as she oversaw the
Denise O’Donoghue Managing director, ITV Studios UK
Denise O’Donoghue shot back to prominence in the UK television industry after becoming Kevin Lygo’s right-hand woman at ITV Studios in 2010. The Hat Trick Productions co- founder has inherited a considerable task at the programming arm, which is expected to become an international formats and drama powerhouse under ITV chief executive Adam Crozier’s vision for the company. O’Donoghue oversees business affairs and produc- tion and rights management, as well as working with creative teams to ensure ITVS wrings maximum value out of content. She has maintained a relatively low profile, but has been described by some insid- ers as an “enforcer” with a skill for spotting and managing talent. This has seen ITVS take a 50% stake in former Channel 4 drama supremos Camilla Campbell and Robert Wulff- Cochrane’s new indie Noho Film and TV.
Executives
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