Press release from ABC
Jennifer Collins has today been appointed to the newly-expanded role of Head of Factual.
As part of the new ABC TV operational structure, this expanded role will see the Heads of Documentaries and Sports and Events also reporting through to the Head of Factual position.
In this newly expanded role, Jennifer will be responsible for around 900 hours of television.Jennifer has been acting in a similar role for the last 12 months with responsibilities for a slate of 10 programs and delivering around 300 hours of television to the network.
This includes developing and launching the highly successful Poh’s Kitchen, and overseeing shows such as Q&A; Collectors; Gardening
Australia and Catalyst.
Jennifer has previously worked on an extensive array of productions, including the first series of The Chaser’s War on Everything; The Glasshouse;
The Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Paralympics Games (which attracted an audience of 2.6 million); My Favourite Book and My Favourite Film;
School Spectaculars in 2005 and 2007 and Beached az.
Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV said “Jennifer brings a wealth of expertise and proven success to this expanded position. She brings a high level of
energy and vision, which will be vital for the future development of programming for ABC TV.”
Jennifer Collins will take up this new position immediately.
Alan Erson has today been appointed the new Head of Documentaries.
In this new role, Alan will be responsible for developing and commissioning in ABC TV’s slate of independently-produced documentaries. For the last three years, Alan has been ABC TV Commissioning Editor for science, history and natural history documentaries. He has overseen more than 115 hours of television and a significant number of on-line projects.
Some of the landmark programs Alan was involved in developing, financing and commissioning include: The PM is Missing; Bombora:The Story of Australian Surfing; Penguin Island; Darwin’s Brave New World; Two in the Top End; Lizard Kings; How Kevin Bacon Cured Cancer; Voyage to the Planets; Surviving Mumbai and The Making of Modern Australia.
Prior to joining ABC TV, Alan worked with major networks worldwide including BBC, Canada’s CBC, Discovery and National Geographic channels.
Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV said “Alan’s has a wonderful ability to identify stories and subjects, across a broad range of genres that resonate
with our audience. He has a great track record in working with the independent documentary sector to bring these programs to the screen.”
Alan is replacing Stuart Menzies, who is now the new Controller for ABC2.
He will report through to the newly appointed Head of Factual Jennifer Collins. Alan will take up his new position immediately.