Channel 4 has appointed MTV Digital Director Matt Risley as the head of its Digital Content Unit.
Risley will be based at the broadcaster’s National HQ in Leeds, when it opens in October. The unit will be Channel 4’s new in-house digital agency, commissioning and producing digital content for social and digital platforms, as part of its digital acceleration strategy.
Risley will report to Chief Marketing Officer Zaid Al-Qassab. “Matt has a proven track record in delivering successful and award-winning social digital content for young audiences and possesses a strong commercial acumen. His outstanding strategic and creative leadership will be critical as we build the DCU into a best-in-class internal digital agency,” said Al-Qassab.
At MTV, Risley has been heading up editorial, production and social strategy for Viacom’s international digital studio in London, and the creation of youth-focused content across TV, movies, lifestyle, music and entertainment for MTV’s social platforms. He also oversees the digital production and strategy for MTV’s linear shows and development of online communities.
Previously Matt was MTV’s International Entertainment Editor and before that held online editor and producer roles at Total Film and Sky Atlantic/Sky 1 Online.