LOS ANGELES (June 28, 2021) — FAST Studios today announced the addition of Leigh Radford, Senior Vice President and Founder of P&G Ventures, to its Board of Directors, as well as that of Sophie Goldschmidt, global sports business executive, and Hal Sadoff, CEO Dark Castle/Silver Pictures Entertainment, who join the company as an advisors.
FAST Studios was launched in 2020 with the mission of creating new premium media brands by investing in and operating free, ad-supported streaming (FAST) television channels featuring a combination of established and original programming. FAST Studios is producing premium content that emphasizes a content-first approach that allows brands to authentically connect with their audience.
Radford is joining the board of directors with more than 20 years of innovative business and world-class brand building experience at Procter & Gamble. She is currently Senior Vice President and Founder of P&G Ventures, which is an early-stage startup studio that creates and grows brands and businesses by building win-win partnerships with entrepreneurs, visionaries, and startups.
Under her leadership, Radford has supercharged P&G’s development and launch of new brands including OPTE, the first of its kind digital skincare device and one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies .
Radford also serves on the Board of Directors for the PG13 Collaboration Board, an external build studio partnership between P&G and the venture capital firm M13. Other Board experience includes serving as the Founder and President of The Kilgour School Foundation and The AGENCY within the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications.
“The decision to join the FAST Studios board was an easy one, as it bridges my passion for building brands and excitement about this rapidly growing media space,” said Radford. “I’ve known Stuart for years, and have been consistently impressed by his stellar track record for innovative work in media. I am thrilled to lend my expertise to FAST Studios as we build new media brands within the rapidly growing FAST space”
Stuart McLean, CEO, FAST Studios added, “Leigh is a world-class marketer with a proven track record of creating new brands at P&G, which is essentially what we’re doing in the media space at FAST Studios. She sets the bar high with her passion, innovation and creativity, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her join the Board of FAST Studios.”
In addition to Radford joining the Board of Directors, Sophie Goldschmidt and Hal Sadoff are joining FAST Studios as advisors.
Goldschmidt was most recently CEO of the World Surf League (WSL) and previously in leadership, commercial and marketing roles at the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the PGA European Tour, Adidas and the global sports marketing & entertainment agency CSM. She is a member of the WSL Advisory Board and business partner for Tersa. Goldschmidt also currently advises Racquet Publishing, LOVB, MIXhalo, Pamos, round21, West 10th, Sportable and Egoli, is a mentor for Techstars and a Member of the Board of Governors for the International
“I’m thrilled to join Stuart and his team at FAST Studios to help grow the company in this quickly evolving industry. I look forward to using my deep experience in sports, marketing and entertainment as they continue to build their exciting channel offerings in this space,” Goldschmidt said.
McLean said, “Sophie is a proven global leader with broad and deep proven experience in sports, entertainment, media and technology who has been at the forefront of globalizing and innovating sports and entertainment properties. As we seek to expand FAST Studio’s offerings, Sophie’s expertise will be critical to some of our upcoming projects.”
Hal Sadoff joins FAST Studios as an advisor. He brings his more than 30 years of experience in production, financing and distribution of film, TV and digital content to the FAST Studios team. His track record includes over 450 productions and financings totaling $3.5 billion.
“As streaming continues to fundamentally change the entertainment industry, the FAST space will undoubtedly continue to grow as consumers seek out entertainment options at a low or free price point,” said Sadoff. “Stuart and his team are helping to fill an important role in the market by strategically helping IP owners grow and monetize their channels, while building new media brandsand trust with consumers.”
