23rd November 2022 - UKTV has promoted Brendan Kilcawley to Director of UKTV Ventures to lead UKTV's multi-million pound "Airtime for Equity" investment fund after joining the fund in 2021 as Head of Commercial.
UKTV Ventures exchanges TV advertising inventory for minority equity stakes, alongside venture capital firms, in high-growth innovative direct-to-consumer start-ups looking to build strong brands, acquire new customers and grow to the next level through the power of TV advertising, with the reach, trust and fame that it brings. The fund comprises £8m of premium advertising across its channel portfolio that the award-winning broadcaster invests annually in early-stage businesses. Brendan will be responsible for developing and executing the pipeline of equity investments and managing UKTV Ventures' portfolio of start-ups.
Sam Tewungwa, BBC Studios' Chief Commercial Officer for the UK Region, said,
Brendan's track record, his relationship building skills, and the depth and breadth of his commercial experience make him the ideal person to head up the division. I am looking forward to the next chapter of our Ventures story under his leadership.
Brendan said,
It's a great time to head up UKTV Ventures with its exciting pipeline of potential investments and portfolio. I am looking forward to the challenges of growing the fund as we support a range of innovative businesses achieve stellar growth.
Brendan joined UKTV Ventures in 2021 following five years as Head of Distribution for UKTV's network of popular channel brands. During his tenure in Ventures Brendan has brokered a number of deals, including with the social media platform WeAre8 and with the plastic-free toiletries company KinKind.
Brendan has a wealth of experience in strategy, business development, content production and distribution in South Africa and the UK. Prior to working at UKTV, Brendan led distribution for BBC Studios channels across Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, launching BBC Earth and CBeebies across the region. Brendan holds an Executive MBA from Cranfield Business School.
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For further information please contact:
Rebecca Ferris, Corporate Communications Manager
About UKTV Ventures
UKTV Ventures is UKTV's multi-million pound investment fund which offers high-growth start-ups an opportunity to enter the TV advertising market in exchange for a minority stake in their company. This is described as airtime-for-equity.
UKTV Ventures Website: www.uktvventures.co.uk
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 25 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
UKTV Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKTV
UKTV Corporate Website: https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/