Murphy joins FID as Head of Acquisitions & Development

Shane Murphy, formerly of Granada International, has joined the executive team at Fremantle International Distribution (FID), the distribution arm of global production outfit FremantleMedia, as Head of Acquisitions and Development.
Reporting to Mark Gray, who was recently appointed to the role of Vice President, Co-productions and Acquisitions, Murphy will work closely with independent producers as well as the production departments inside the FremantleMedia organisation, to acquire programming for international distribution.
This appointment follows the change to Mark Gray’s role at FID. Gray joined the company in February 2004 as Vice President Acquisition and Development. He recently took on responsibility for international co-production, underlining FID's intent to develop its interests in the high end programming arena, both factual and drama.
Murphy has more than 12 years experience in the international TV industry. At Granada International he was Head of Programming, Drama. In a role where he worked with independent producers to procure programming for international distribution and negotiate deal terms, Murphy also secured script development deals and raised finance for regional productions. Previously, Murphy worked at Carlton International looking after UK sales and Factual Co-production and Acquisitions. Before that he was Head of Programming at the Irish channel, Tara Television, and Commissions and Co-productions Manager at Discovery Networks Europe.
In his new role, Murphy will also work closely with FID’s international sales team to identify their programming needs as well as Fremantle Licensing Worldwide and other RTL Group subsidiaries to secure finance for selected projects.
Mark Gray, Vice President, Co-productions and Acquisitions, FID, commented: “I am delighted that Shane is joining us in this extremely important role. It is vital for us, as one of the key players in the international television marketplace, to attract the very best independent producers and their innovative programming. Shane has a great knack of seeking out the finest projects and has a huge ability to develop and sustain long-term working relationships with programme suppliers across all genres."
(GB)