Whisper Appoints Ex-Google/YouTube Exec Derek Scobie to Lead US Sales
Whisper, a London-headquartered production company, has appointed Derek Scobie as general manager of sales for its US operations. Scobie joins from Google and YouTube, where he spent 15 years leading commercial growth and content monetization initiatives. This appointment aims to expand Whisper’s North American commercial operations and grow its sports and entertainment portfolio in the US market.
Key Takeaways
- Derek Scobie joins Whisper as US General Manager of Sales, based in California.
- Scobie previously worked for 15 years at Google and YouTube, focusing on commercial growth, content monetization, and connected TV.
- His role includes expanding North American commercial operations and growing Whisper's US sports and entertainment portfolio.
- Scobie also held global roles at Procter & Gamble and Unilever.
- This appointment follows Whisper's return to private ownership and broader senior leadership investments.
Why It Matters
Whisper's strategic hire of a seasoned ad and content monetization executive from Google/YouTube emphasizes their intent to accelerate US market penetration, particularly in sports and entertainment. This move signals a focus on leveraging digital ecosystem expertise to compete for production opportunities with major streaming platforms and rights holders. The effectiveness of this talent acquisition will be measured by Whisper's ability to secure new North American production deals and expand its revenue streams in a competitive landscape.
Additional Context
Whisper's appointment of Derek Scobie is part of a broader push into the US market following its return to 100% private ownership after a buyback from Sony Pictures Television in March 2026 (Deadline, March 2026). This shift allows Whisper to deploy external finance for ambitious growth strategies. The company has been actively reinforcing its senior leadership team, recruiting executives from major tech and sports organizations including Apple, Google, SailGP, and Sky Sports, to strengthen its international presence (Whisper, May 2026). Drew Masters, Head of Documentaries, relocated to LA to build out his team, and Tina Shah, former EVP and GM of Turner Sports, joined as an advisory board member (Deadline, November 2025). Whisper has also been engaging in strategic alliances, including partnerships with production houses like Tom Brady’s Religion of Sports and Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity, as it aims to build out its premium unscripted IP (Whisper, June 2026). The production company has been expanding its genre focus beyond sports into documentaries and entertainment, enabling it to offer a unique proposition to streamers and broadcasters (Deadline, November 2025).
Read full article at bdaily.co.uk
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