Australia – Australia-based subscription television company, Foxtel Group, has appointed Marshall Heald, former director of content at public broadcasting firm Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), to assume the newly created leadership role of executive director of Foxtel Entertainment.

Heald brings with him 14-year career experience at SBS. He previously led the adoption of digital technologies and innovation across SBS, as well as the firm’s online presence.

In his new role, Heald will be responsible for the creative vision and editorial strategy for all content on the owned and operated Foxtel entertainment and movie channels, together with the presentation of all on demand content on the Foxtel IQ, Foxtel Now, and Foxtel Go products. This also includes on demand content from Foxtel’s channels, as well as third-party channels, sports channels, integrated third-party apps, and TVOD movies. 

Amanda Laing, Foxtel Group’s chief commercial and content officer, believes that Heald’s creativity and experience will help take the firm’s engagement to the next level across channels and on demand, supporting the investments they are continuing to make in Foxtel as a core part of the Group’s vision for the future.

“How we curate and present our content has never been more strategically important, and Marshall’s leadership will be an important element in driving our future success, to deliver on our ambitions and build on the momentum the Foxtel Group has established,” said Laing.

The appointment of Heald will be effective in March 2022.

This November, Foxtel has announced the rebranding of its loyalty program Foxtel First to Foxtel Reward, as well as the recent partnership with live entertainment company, Live Nation Australia, to bring Foxtel Rewards members unmissable live music events.