Blast nabs Mindhouse exec for creative director role

Blast Films has tapped Mindhouse’s head of popular factual Barnaby Coughlin to step into the newly created position of creative director, popular factual and formats.

Coughlin’s appointment is part of the Sky-backed indie’s expansion into new genres, and he will lead its creative vision and oversee the development and execution of original content across the company’s growing UK and international slates.

He will work alongside Tanya Winston, creative director of factual, with both reporting into chief creative officer Danny Horan. He will also work closely with its development teams and production partners.

Coughlin’s addition comes after Broadcast revealed yesterday Blast was working on 10-part ob-doc series The Rooneys (w/t) for Disney+ UK.

Coughlin spent four years at Mindhouse, where he exec produced and developed projects such as Sex Actually with Alice Levine (Channel 4) and KSI: In Real Life (Amazon Prime Video), and BBC Sounds/Radio 4 returning podcast How to Be with Rylan Clark.

His arrival aims to help propel Blast into a “dynamic era” for factual storytelling, according to chief exec Claire Bosworth. The indie has several major commissions in the works, with its focus driven by creative risk-taking.

She continued: “We’re delighted to bring in a creative leader with the experience, ambition, and originality to help shape the next generation of programming at Blast.

“Barnaby’s vision aligns perfectly with our values of authenticity, integrity, and boldness and I’m sure he’s going be a great asset to our team.”

Coughlin added: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining Claire, Danny and all the inspiring people who make Blast the success it richly deserves. I am a big fan of their past series and can’t wait to help build on their existing portfolio and get started in this new role.”