Ex-ITV Studios exec joins DRG drama club

Former ITV Studios, Shine Group and Cineflix exec Dave Clarke has joined UK-based DRG to bolster its drama ranks.

Clarke has signed a 12-month contract as scripted development and acquisitions consultant.

Besides working with the DRG acquisitions team to find new scripted programmes, he will also locate suitable projects for the recently announced Atrium TV venture.

At MIPTV, DRG CEO Jeremy Fox and former Sony chief Howard Stringer revealed Atrium, which is effectively a drama ‘club’ aimed at ensuring high-end projects are properly funded.

Nice Entertainment Group-owned DRG sees scripted as a key growth genre, and the hire comes after a number of others that followed what the firm claimed was a 25% hike in turnover last year.

Clarke joins having recently exited ITV Studios Global Entertainment, the sales arm of UK broadcaster ITV’s producting wing, ITV Studios. There he oversaw third party relationships globally.

Before ITV, he was head of global format acquisitions at Shine (now part of production giant Endemol Shine Group) and VP of strategic planning and format acquisitions at Cineflix Media.

He also held a number of roles at Virgin Media TV, becoming controller of the Bravo, Bravo 2, Challenge and Trouble channels before they were sold to Sky.

“DRG is going through really exciting times and there is a fantastic opportunity for me to build on the existing base and shape and grow it into a truly dynamic force in the scripted programming world,” said Clarke.

“The business is keen to invest in great ideas and its launch of Atrium TV demonstrates that it is constantly looking for new opportunities and new ways of doing business. It is refreshing to be given a relatively clean sheet in such an established company and I can’t wait to get started and to begin reaching out to producers.”

DRG managing director Richard Halliwell said the firm was planning to “massively ramp up” business in drama.

He pointed to Clarke’s background in both drama and formats, adding: “He has a terrific combination of commercial and creative acumen, knows how to spot a good story and make it great, and is very well respected within the industry.”