ITV hosts industry love-fest

Television executives discarded network rivalries last night as they gathered for an ITV industry event hosted by new Australian CEO Anita Jacoby.

Jacoby, formerly of Zapruder’s Other Films, was joined by Managing Director, ITV Studios International and President & CEO, ITV Studios US Group, Paul Buccieri, hosted by James Valentine.

But the function at the Park Hyatt hotel was a who’s who of network execs including: Tim Worner, Angus Ross, Brad Lyons and Therese Hegarty from Seven; Michael Healy, Andrew Backwell, Courtney Gibson and Adrian Swift from Nine; Brendan Dahill, Richard Finlyason, Rick Kalowski and Sophia Zachariou from ABC; Peter Andrews and Joseph Maxwell from SBS; Brian Walsh, Brendan Moo, Jim Buchan, Darren Distefano from Foxtel;

Also in attendance were producers Peter Beck and Craig Campbell, plus Chris Chapman, Andrew O’Keefe, Matt Moran, David Campbell, Julia Morris, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Andrew Rochford, Veronica Milsom, Stephen Hall, and invited media.

The event, which spruiked ITV content in many genres invited media to sample ITV’s content.

“My challenge is to take the strength of ITV and its standing in the marketplace as a content provider, and to continue to bring that experience into the Australian market. As a content producer, I’m passionate about creating original, Australian content that resonates vibrantly with viewers,” said Jacoby.

While there were no official announcements, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here seemed to get an added push. Valentine joked that an Aussie version would see a crocodile eating a celebrity to which a cheeky Brad Lyons joked, “We’d buy it!”