Fremantle appoints first ever executive vice president of AI

Fremantle has appointed UK-based former Spotify executive Kevin Lingley as the production and distribution group’s first ever executive vice president of AI.

He reports to Matthew Wilson, chief legal officer, and is in post immediately.

Wilson will lead the company’s AI vision and strategy, building the team, driving innovation, operational transformation and growth through what the company terms as “responsible deployment of artificial intelligence across the business”.

Wilson will help integrate AI into Fremantle’s operations from production and distribution to commercial activities.

Lingley was previously vice president, content platform, at Spotify; senior engineer leader for Prime Video at Amazon; and principal engineering leader working on Xbox, TV and Music at Microsoft. He has also held posts at Amino, Fluorescent Media, SysMedia, Sony, Virgin Media and Acorn.

“My focus will be on harnessing AI technology responsibly and innovatively to support our teams, empower creativity, and unlock new opportunities for growth across the business,” said Lingley. “Fremantle, with its size and global reach, will provide the perfect foundation to shape an AI strategy with creativity at its core.”

“Welcoming Kevin as executive vice president of AI marks as a significant step in Fremantle’s commitment to responsibly harnessing AI across our business,” Wilson noted. “Kevin’s appointment reflects our ambition to embed AI at the heart of our strategy for both creative processes and operational transformation. His deep expertise and experience will drive new opportunities for creativity, efficiency, and growth, whilst also shaping an approach to AI that is responsible and aligned with our creative values.

A statement from Fremantle said: “Fremantle is committed to using AI to enhance creativity, empower our employees, and pioneer new, productive ways of telling stories, while upholding ethical principles, protecting IP, and supporting our global creative community.”

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