Whisper opens new entertainment arm ‘Whisper North’ in MediaCity

Whisper has opened Whisper North, a new entertainment arm, which sits within The Whisper Group.

Based at dock10 in Media City, Manchester, the new regional hub is led by Whisper North Managing Director, Tom McLennan.

Tom joins Whisper from ITV Entertainment, where he was Director of Entertainment North (University Challenge, Judge Rinder, You’ve Been Framed). He is joined by Development Production Executive Anna Andrews, who is the former Production and Development Executive for ITV Studios Entertainment.

Whisper North has already secured funded development from three different channels. These sit alongside another substantially backed broadcaster pilot, currently being produced by Whisper.

In addition to generating entertainment formats, Whisper North will operate as a regional office for Whisper’s sporting production under Mark Cole and is well-positioned to bolster Whisper’s strong relations with BBC Sport in Salford and Channel 4 Sport in Leeds.

Tom McLennan said: “I am really excited to be joining the Whisper Group at a time of incredible growth. Whisper is a truly dynamic and ambitious company whose values reflect my own, and the support, kindness, and can-do attitude that we’ve experienced from everyone in the business has been inspiring.

“I’ve worked with some amazing talent in the North over the last 20 years and I can’t wait to introduce them to Whisper and to some of the big ideas we have in the pipeline.

“Whisper has instantly felt like home to me and the team, and opening an office in the North is a real privilege.”

Sunil Patel commented: “It’s great to welcome Tom, Anna and their team to Whisper; to say they have hit the ground running is an understatement!

“We’re keen for Whisper North to replicate the progress we’ve experienced with our Nations office, Whisper Cymru. Since opening in 2019, we’ve invested in local talent, developed new facilities and staff positions and experienced 50% growth.

“Tom’s connections and significant experience are a great asset and can only help us to establish a strong presence in the North of England, which has been our focus for some time.”

Whisper has been appointed Host Broadcaster for the Rugby League World Cup, which will now take place in 2022 following a postponement from 2021 due to COVID. The tournament will predominately take place across the North of England.

Whisper’s growing sporting remit currently includes Formula One, The Paralympics, International Rugby, International Cricket, Women’s Football and Women’s Motorsport. Its burgeoning unscripted department includes Inside Monaco (BBC), The Talk (C4), Black and Proud (C4) and Jimmy Tarbuck: The Laughs Are On Me (C5), amongst others.

The Whisper Group now features Whisper, Whisper Cymru (Cardiff), Whisper North (Manchester), Whisper West (Maidenhead), Whisper Australasia (Auckland), Chapter 3 Graphics (London), East Media (London) and Moonshine Features (London).

Its co-founders are Whisper Group CEO, Sunil Patel, broadcaster Jake Humphrey and former F1 driver David Coulthard.

Previously a beneficiary of the Channel 4 Growth Fund, Whisper exited the fund in 2020 when Sony Pictures Television invested in The Whisper Group.