Billy Parks, a former commercial producer and senior executive at companies including The Chernin Group, has been named head of Fox Creator Studios.
The division of Fox Entertainment launched earlier this year at CES, reflects a step-up of ongoing efforts across Fox to strengthen ties with creators. (A corresponding initiative in Fox’s ad sales division also went live in January.)
Parks will report to Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade in the newly created role. He will identify talent, build business models, develop and publish IP and foster audience engagement. Under his leadership, FCS will look to produce formats and franchises across linear, streaming and digital platforms. FCS has set partnerships with Gordon Ramsay through Studio Ramsay Global, Rosanna Pansino, Jolly, Sorted Food, The Food Theorists and Little Remy Food.
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After starting his career in feature films, Parks went on to produce commercials, music videos and branded entertainment. His credits include Super Bowl campaigns and videos by Kelly Clarkson, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Eminem, Selena Gomez, and Rhianna, along with creative work for brands like the NFL, Chrysler, Honda and AT&T.
Parks later served as EVP of production and programming at The Chernin Group and held senior exec posts at Fullscreen, Astronauts Wanted and Otter Media. He later returned to Chernin as an operating partner. Most recently, he was a venture partner at Slow Ventures Creator Fund.
“Fox Creator Studios represents a fundamental evolution in how we work with today’s most dynamic storytellers, bridging the gap between Hollywood and the rapidly expanding creator economy,” Wade said in a press release. “Billy has built his career at the forefront of creator-driven media, blending creative instinct with investment and operational expertise. He understands that today’s creators are founders and brand builders, and he knows how to scale their ideas into enduring businesses. As we expand our digital ecosystem, we want to empower creators to bring their dreams to life, and Billy is the ideal leader to drive that effort.”
Parks said creators are “building the most dynamic media business in the world on their terms, recognizing that the future belongs to ideas that travel.” Fox, he added, “has a storied legacy of empowering great creative talent, and Fox Creator Studios is a natural extension of that legacy.”