Sydney, November 28, 2011: FremantleMedia Australia (FMA), one of the largest creators and producers of television programs in the region, today announces the appointment of Jo Porter to the new role of Director of Drama. Porter will be responsible for the strategy and production of all drama content for FMA, and will report into Ian Hogg, CEO Asia Pacific, FremantleMedia.
Ian Hogg, CEO Asia Pacific, FremantleMedia, said: “FMA has a long and successful heritage of creating leading drama productions which have been successful in Australia and around the world. Over the last three decades our company’s pedigree in producing long running, best in practice drama is extraordinary. Reg Grundy pioneered programs such as Prisoner, Sons & Daughters and Young Doctors, all of which were ahead of their time, along with Neighbours which is about to begin its 27th year on air. This is an outstanding testament to our existing capabilities in drama and we have very clear ambitions for the future. I can think of nobody better than Jo to build on our success and lead an expansion in drama production for FMA, as we look to export our stories and culture to the world stage.”
FremantleMedia COO, Gary Carter, said "Drama production continues to be a crucial component of our business internationally and the appointment of Jo Porter in Australia will have a global impact. Jo will collaborate with our Worldwide Drama team to develop Australian stories and productions for the international market. We are incredibly excited to have Jo on board."
Porter has spent much of her successful career with the Seven Network in Australia. She joined Seven in 1997 to establish and produce All Saints. The series quickly became one of the most popular dramas on Australian television, winning AFI Awards in 1999 and 2000 and a Logie Award in 2001.
In 2001 Porter produced the hugely successful Always Greener, which still remains the highest debuting Australian drama series with over 2.3 million viewers. Critically acclaimed, it was nominated in 2002 for an International Emmy Award. Jo returned to All Saints in 2003/2004 to revamp the series to shift its focus from a nursing ward to an emergency department with John Howard as the male lead. In 2005 she produced Headland and in 2006 the pilot for the hit series City Homicide.
Packed to the Rafters was the fifth drama series Jo established for the Seven Network. Since its premiere in August 2008, Packed to the Rafters has captured the imagination of the entire country. From its debut it was a critically acclaimed ratings hit, boasting an average national audience of over 2 million viewers. It has maintained its run of ratings wins for the past four series. The series has won the Most Popular Drama Logie Award for the past three years. It was also nominated in 2009 for an AFI Award in the Best Television Drama Series category. Actors from series produced by Porter have been nominated for or won countless AFI and Logie awards for their performances in popular and peer voted categories.
Porter will begin her role as Director of Drama with FMA in January 2012.
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Notes to Editors
About FremantleMedia Australia
FremantleMedia Australia is the market leader in the creation and production of entertainment brands. FMA productions include the hugely successful The X Factor, Australia’s Got Talent, MasterChef, Project Runway, Neighbours, Celebrity Apprentice, Grand Designs Australia and The Farmer Wants a Wife; and original formats such as Killing Time, The King, The Gift and Choir of Hard Knocks. FremantleMedia Australia is also the market leaders in the creation and production of digital media content. FremantleMedia is one of the largest international production companies in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide.
For further information, please contact:
Steven Murphy
Communications Manager, FremantleMedia Australia
02 9434 0687
0413 842 932
steven.murphy@fremantlemedia.com.au