EXCLUSIVE: Family Face Off producer Acclaimed Content has hired the Kalel Productions‘ exec who oversaw the development of a Channel 4 doc that featured a secret AI host.
The hire of Kieran McCarthy as Director of Development comes as the Birmingham, UK-based Acclaimed seeks to scale across digital, broadcast and branded content.
McCarthy oversaw a slate of shows at Kalel as Creative Director of Development, most notably Channel 4’s Will AI Take My Job?, presented by Aisha Gaban, a female presenter generated by an AI machine. The show had the industry talking about prompted Channel 4 to vow to try similar on-air experiments.
Anton Inwood, co-founder of Acclaimed, said McCarthy’s “track record in creating standout formats and expertize across broadcast and digital make him the perfect person to drive” the company’s “next phase of growth.”
“His appointment will supercharge our creative leadership as we build bold, distinctive factual formats and attention-grabbing series that connect with audiences across broadcast, streaming and social platforms.”
McCarthy, who was previously Director of Development at All3Media-owned True North, will oversee Acclaimed development slate, building new IP and identifying opportunities across mediums, including branded content. He will report to Inwood and Acclaimed’s other co-founder, Ché Chumber.
Acclaimed is known for youth-skewing shows, working with leading creators such as Niko, Chunkz and Aitch and the UK networks. It has produced shows programs such as Channel 4’s Untold: Undercover Working Holidays: Stranded in Paradise, Chris Ramsey’s Alternative Christmas Guide and Channel 4.0 shows Family Face Off and Alone-ish with Nella Rose, and BBC Three’s Queen of Trucks. Its shows have a combined 20 million views online.
“I’m a huge fan of what Anton and Ché have achieved so far, building a truly forward-thinking and creative production studio proudly based in the regions,” said McCarthy. “With some impressive wins already under their belt, I can’t wait to get stuck in and bring my format pedigree to one of the most exciting young indies out there in the UK, as we boldly tackle an exciting new era for UK content.”
