Kate O’Connor is to leave BBC Studios, ending a remarkable six-year tenure that saw her lead the international expansion of Bluey to critical acclaim.
O’Connor, as Director of Brands and Commercial at BBC Studios, managed local brand development for the company.
A former lawyer, she has over a decade of experience in the TV industry and played a pivotal role in building BBC Studios’ ANZ licensing operation.
Under her leadership, Bluey has achieved huge commercial success.
“It was a dream come true to launch Bluey for the BBC, and an incredible privilege to help grow it into the powerhouse it is today,” she told Mediaweek in a statement.
Bluey
Highlights of O’Connor’s time at the BBC include 25% year-on-year revenue growth in 2024 and the expansion of the team from one to 16 staff members.
“Leading both the brand and commercial strategy allowed me to drive astronomical year-on-year growth while staying fiercely committed to building an evergreen brand we can all be proud of,” she said.
“I lived and breathed the vision I set, and along the way, mentored and nurtured a team who will continue to be excellent custodians of the brand’s future.”
O’Connor also led the creation of major brand initiatives like Bluey’s World and secured multiple award nominations for campaigns including Hammerbarn and City Dogs.
Crediting her former boss and ex-General Manager of BBC Studios ANZ, Fiona Lang, O’Connor said she had enjoyed an extraordinary six years with the BBC.
“Fiona [Lang] gave me a long runway to imagine big, ambitious visions and backed me completely as I brought them to life,” she said.
Lang recently joined Nielsen as Managing Director, Television Audience Measurement Australia.
‘It’s time for me to take a moment.’
O’Connor said she will take some time away from work before announcing her next steps.
“Alongside the brand’s evolution, I’ve grown too. And I’ve realised there’s rarely a perfect time to leave but there is a right time. I haven’t truly paused or taken a breath in six years, and meanwhile, my creative passions have been quietly waiting in the wings.
“Over the past year, I’ve been shortlisted for and won a few respected writing awards, and it’s become clear that now is the time to make space for that side of me, alongside some other ventures.
“It’s time for me to take a moment, reset, finish some writing projects I believe in deeply, speak at some great events and eventually, dive back into the commercial world in a new and independent way.”