Whisper hires YouTube exec for US expansion

Whisper has hired Google exec Derek Scobie as its first general manager of sales in the US as part of its expansion strategy.

California-based Scobie will take charge of scaling the indie’s North American commercial footprint, working with US sports brands such as EA and the NFL.

He will work alongside US-based advisory board member Tina Shah to build Whisper’s North American media partnerships, as well as working closely with US-based head of docs Drew Masters to scale unscripted IP.

Scobie will also focus on expanding Whisper’s creative alliances, which include its partnerships with Tom Brady’s Religion of Sports, and Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity.

Scobie joins Whisper after 15 years with Google-owned YouTube, where he worked on content monetisation and connected TV growth. Prior to this, he worked in international roles for P&G and Unilever.

He joins following Whisper’s recent return to 100% private ownership and is the latest in a string of hires the past six months that include strategic sales director Chris Hatton, chief brand officer Fiona Morgan, chief people and operating officer Jenny Collins, and general counsel Ronu Miah.

Sunil Patel, Whisper’s co-founder and chief executive, said: “Derek is an exceptional commercial leader who understands the future of media and American audiences. We need leaders who know how to unlock opportunities across traditional broadcast and also next-gen digital ecosystems.”

Patel added that Scobie’s time at Google and YouTube, combined with his “relentless focus on the creator economy and brand publishing”, would power Whisper’s growth strategy Stateside.

Scobie added: “The culture-defining power of sports and premium entertainment properties continues to grow, as technology brings new ways for fans to connect and contribute to the things they love. Meeting those expectations requires accelerated change across the content production landscape, and Whisper has already proven itself as an innovator through its work with leagues, brands and rights holders.”