Will Smith named programming director at RDF

by Dan Leahul, Brand Republic 30-Oct-08, 11:00

LONDON - RDF Television, part of the RDF Media Group, has poached Will Smith from ITV, appointing him as director of programmes.

Smith was controller of factual programming at ITV, with responsibility for 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!', 'Dancing on Ice', 'Hell's Kitchen' and 'Come Dine with Me'.

Previously, he was controller of factual programming at LWT and has produced a number of other programmes for ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC over his 20 years in the television industry.

Smith will begin at RDF in the first quarter of 2009, reporting to television managing director Grant Mansfield and overseeing entertainment, factual, comedy, documentaries and daytime and features.

Smith said: "I'm very sad to be leaving ITV, where I've been incredibly fortunate to work with some great programme makers on some brilliant shows.

"However, I feel the time is right to take on a fresh challenge and I'm incredibly excited about joining RDF's senior team where I hope to use my experience of developing and producing successful formats to grow the business both in the UK and internationally."