John Farrar to head up Barcroft Studios

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Succeeds Alex Morris as Chief Creative Officer to lead Future plc’s TV and digital video division
Katie O’Reilly appointed as Operations Director

(Bath – March 26, 2021) Future plc, the global platform for specialist media, today announces that John Farrar, formerly Creative Director of Barcroft Studios, has succeeded Alex Morris as Chief Creative Officer and will lead the award-winning factual production company as Morris steps away from the business.

In addition to his role overseeing Barcroft Studios, who produce content for clients including Channel 4, Discovery and A+E Networks, Farrar will continue to lead Future Studios - the company’s video centre of excellence, capitalising on monetisation opportunities in original video across its stable of media brands. 

Alex Morris, formerly the company’s Chief Creative Officer will depart the business in April after 13 years at Barcroft Studios (formerly Barcroft Media) to pursue new opportunities.

Katie O’Reilly, previously Barcroft Studios’ Finance Director has been appointed Operations Director and will report into Claire MacLellan the Future Plc COO.

John Farrar joined Barcroft Studios in 2019 from Nerd TV, the production business he co-founded with Jago Lee and Charlie Parsons in 2010, and which was bought by Red Arrow Studios in 2012. Since joining Barcroft Studios his Executive Producer credits include ‘Two Sisters One Body’ (Channel 4), ‘Biggest Little Christmas Showdown’ (HGTV) and mental health docuseries ‘Mind Yourself’ for Snapchat.   

John Farrar said “It’s time to embark on the next chapter of the Barcroft story and I’m excited to take the reins at this time of significant growth and opportunity. Alex has been at the creative heart of Barcroft Studios for well over a decade. He’s helped the company grow from a three-man picture agency in Tottenham into a global multi-platform specialist that connects with over 500 million people a month. We all wish him well in his next endeavor”.

Alex Morris said “Barcroft Studios has been my home for the past 13 years and after overseeing its successful integration into Future plc and its most successful year ever, I feel now’s the perfect time to step aside and look for a new challenge. The company is in great hands with John at the helm and I’ve no doubt the business will go from strength to strength under his leadership”.

###ENDS### 

About Barcroft Studios

Barcroft Studios is an award-winning factual production company that specialises in producing amazing content, enjoyed and shared by millions of people worldwide. Its partners are global platforms, broadcasters and media outlets around the world.
Part of Future plc, the business is dedicated to creating world-class television and digital video content celebrating a diverse range of incredible true stories.
truly, Barcroft Studios’ digital channel, is the home of amazing true stories, with a mission to celebrate difference, maintain a sense of wonder and confront the extreme. truly is one of the most popular factual channels on the internet and is followed by a passionate, global audience. In early 2020 truly channels and original shows surpassed 70 million followers across YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat. 

Barcroft Studios was acquired by Future plc in November 2019.
http://www.barcroftstudios.com/

About Future
Future is a global platform business for specialist media with diversified revenue streams. Its content reaches 1 in 3 adults in both the UK and the US.

The Media division is high-growth with three complementary revenue streams: eCommerce, events and digital advertising including advertising within newsletters. It operates in a number of sectors including technology, games, music, home interest, hobbies and B2B and its brands include Truly, TechRadar, PC Gamer, Tom's Guide, Android Central, Homebuilding & Renovating Show, GamesRadar+, The Photography Show, Top Ten Reviews, Live Science, Guitar World, MusicRadar, Space.com and Tom's Hardware.

The Magazine division focuses on publishing specialist content, with a combined global circulation of over 3 million delivered through more than 220 publications. The portfolio spans technology, games and entertainment, sports, music, creative and photography, hobbies, homes and garden, real life, country lifestyle, TV and film and B2B. Its titles include Country Life, Wallpaper*, Classic Rock, Guitar Player, FourFourTwo, Homebuilding & Renovating, Digital Camera, Guitarist, How It Works, woman&home, Total Film, What Hi-Fi? and Music Week.
www.futureplc.com

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