LA, 1st June 2026 – Whisper, the leading global independent production powerhouse, today announces the milestone appointment of Derek Scobie as its first General Manager of Sales in the US. The high-profile hiring marks Whispers commitment to scale internationally, following its return to 100% private ownership after the recent buyback from Sony Pictures Television.
Scobie joins Whisper after 15 years at Google/YouTube, where he drove billions of dollars in revenue through premium content monetization, a leader in Connected TV growth, and as a champion of the Creator Economy. Before YouTube, Scobie worked in global roles for CPG titans P&G and Unilever. Scobie’s expertise lies squarely at the cross-section of live sports, multi-genre entertainment, brand-building, and next-generation advertising.
Based in California, Scobie will be responsible for scaling Whisper’s North American commercial footprint, building on the company’s established momentum with major US sports properties and elite brands, including EA and the NFL. He will oversee revenue and monetization strategies around Whisper’s regular US operational footprint – which spans multiple premium motorsport events across Formula 1 and Formula E – while maximizing value for Whisper’s expanding sports and entertainment portfolio.
Operating at the intersection of brand publishing and network distribution, Scobie will work to expand high-profile creative alliances, such as Whisper’s partnerships with premier US production houses like Tom Brady’s Religion of Sports and Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity, architecting high-impact product solutions for major streaming platforms and rights-holders as the company gears up for a slate of exciting upcoming announcements.
The move follows Whisper’s recent string of senior leadership reinforcements from the world of big tech, sport and entertainment. Strategic Sales Director Chris Hatton (Apple), Chief Brand Officer Fiona Morgan (SailGP), Chief People and Operating Officer Jenny Collins (Google), and General Counsel Ronu Miah (Sky Sports).
Working alongside US-based Advisory Board member Tina Shah to unlock major North American media partnerships, Scobie will also collaborate closely with US based Head of Documentaries Drew Masters to scale premium unscripted IP. Together, this bolstered executive team underlines Whisper’s mission to disrupt traditional media models by merging world-class production values with global tech ecosystem scale.
Sunil Patel, Whisper Founder & CEO, said: “Derek is an exceptional commercial leader who understands the future of media and American audiences. We need leaders who know how to unlock opportunities across traditional broadcast and also next-gen digital ecosystems. Derek’s incredible track record at Google and YouTube, combined with his relentless focus on the creator economy and brand publishing, makes him the perfect fit to spearhead our US growth. He brings the exact ‘Make it Happen’ energy required to scale our footprint and connect iconic North American brands with our story-led entertainment approach.”
Derek Scobie, GM of Sales for Whisper, added: “The culture-defining power of sports and premium entertainment properties continues to grow, as technology brings new ways for fans to connect and contribute to the things they love. Meeting those expectations requires accelerated change across the content production landscape, and Whisper has already proven itself as an innovator through its work with leagues, brands and rights holders. I’m grateful to Sunil for the opportunity to lead growth in the US, where Whisper’s ability to move fast and execute flawlessly put it in pole position to lead market shift across genres and formats.”
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About Whisper:
Whisper is a leading global, independent production company where Entertainment is Everything. Founded in 2010, Whisper functions as a multi-genre powerhouse that combines a dynamic, people-first culture with the scale to deliver for the world’s biggest broadcasters and brands. Following its 2026 return to private ownership, the group has reinforced its long-standing commitment to disruptive storytelling and technological innovation.
With over 300 staff in offices across the UK, EMEA and North America, Whisper delivers world-class production across its core pillars of Sport, Entertainment, Documentaries, Gaming and Branded Content, supported by end-to-end Social and Digital services.
Whisper is proud to work on the most iconic sporting events and in partnership with global federations and rights-holders, including UEFA, Formula 1,EA, Wimbledon, and FIFA. Whisper’s innovative production – which includes Women’s Rugby World Cup, Paralympics, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Built In Birmingham: Brady & The Blues, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune – is consistently delivered in collaboration with major SVODs and broadcasters such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, BBC, ITV, and Channel 4.
A multi-award-winning industry leader, Whisper is a BAFTA winner and multi-Emmy nominee, consistently recognised as a Sunday Times and Broadcast “Best Places to Work” winner.
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