Fremantle appoints Head of Kids

Fremantle is moving into Children’s Content with the appointment of Joel Williams as Head of Kids.

Williams was Head of Programming – Content and Consumer Engagement at The Walt Disney Company and has previously worked with Nickelodeon.

Fremantle has signalled its interest in partnering with local independent producers on the development and co-production of projects in both the scripted and unscripted space. The key focus is targeting children 5-12 years old with unequivocally Australian stories.

Williams will be working with Australian and international broadcasters and Australian talent, agents, writers and producers to build a development slate of local youth-focused productions.

Chris Oliver-Taylor, CEO Asia Pacific, & Jennifer Collins, Director of Content, Fremantle, said: “We are thrilled to have secured someone of Joel’s calibre 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.”

Joel Williams said: “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.”

Williams will report into Fremantle’s Director of Content, Jennifer Collins.