About Us

Who We Are

Aurra Studios is an independent studio and podcast network, founded in 2021 and based in London and New York. We develop world-class original and acquired scripted and unscripted audio content, including branded and companion series tied to existing IP for audiences around the world.

Together with our hosts, experts and contributors, Aurra is embarking on a new journey to spark important conversations and connect with diverse global audiences bound by their passions and curiosity in the world and people around them. We do this through the power of authentic, purposeful, immersive and entertaining audio storytelling. We want to explore what makes us tick, what’s going on inside our heads, why do we make the choices we make, what are the consequences of our actions.All with the aim to help our community understand ourselves – and each other – just a little bit more.

What’s behind the name? Aurras, is goddess of sound, born from the union of the Goddess of Beasts and the God of Emotions. When mortals were young and restless, wars and conflicts broke out frequently. Aurras moved across the landscape and used the power of sound to calm hearts and minds. Aurras is now a patron of musicians and artists of all varieties all over the world.

The Team

Amanda Hill, STRATEGY

VP Marketing EX Global CMO for A&E Networks. Founder BBC Earth. First global CMO BBC Worldwide/Studios with responsibility for global properties such as Top Gear and Dr Who.

Ben Freeman, IP DEvelopment

Ben is a Bafta winning and Emmy nominated exec producer & podcast host/producer; from being a digital commissioner at ITV to being Head of Digital at Banijay, he has a string of hits under his belt, and has been instrumental in creating hit shows such as The Crystal Maze, Eat Well For Less and Secret Life Of Boys.

Claire Cottrell, Operations

Executive/Senior Producer, award-winning international film, video and live events for Maritz, SMI Business TV, Saatchi & Saatchi’s HP:ICM and Velvet Pictures for film and advertising.

David Hearn, NED

Highly experienced executive who has run a global agency group and managed creatives at global scale – as well as having held CEO positions in multinationals for over 20 years and has grown businesses into multi-billion-dollar categories. David has particular expertise in brand development, acquisitions and roll-ups as well as significant capital raises.

John Smith, NED CHAIRMAN

NED Chairman, world-class broadcast leader ex CEO BBC Worldwide (8yrs). Ex Chairman UKTV, BBC STUDIOS, CFO & COO BBC. Ex COO Burberry. Ex VP (now Fellow) of The Royal Television Society and BAFTA Board member.

KAT NEYLON, CONTENT PARTNERSHIPS ACQUISITIONS & LICENSING

Kat has a world class media industry background and has led multi-million-pound growth across markets. An expert in the development / implementation of sales strategies and monetising content across platforms. Skilled in directing international sales teams and working at a senior level to develop new business relationships with partners.

Keith English, Creative

BAFTA nominee and award-winning international Director & Writer. Ex CD of SCORES. Directed over 400 International ads + Digital Content, Film and TV with Caviar, Disney, Will Van Der Vlugt, BBC, 20th Century Fox, UIP, UTA and SMA Talent.

Kerry Ball, COMMERCIAL

Senior Leader in digital distribution evolution in NBC Universal, Discovery and Shine International creating new business models in digital entertainment deployed around the world.

Mark Popkiewicz, CEO

LBC, BBC, Founder of multiple global media-tech ventures including 2 IPOs, 3 trade exits, $100M in raised capital and over $1Bn in exits. Experience in US, Europe, China, LatAm & India having set up and managed operations in over 30 countries.

Pete Walesby, NED

Strong finance professional with deep media sector experience including Head of finance Virgin Media, VP Finance Discovery Inc. International Digital, Eurosport, International Content Strategy and Distribution and finance Analyst BSKYB PLC.

Sian Hansen, Non-Executive Director

Formerly Chief Operating Officer for Sir Lynton Crosby’s C|T Group, Sian is currently a Senior Adviser to the Sanctuary Counsel, a Trustee of Onward, an influential think tank, and board director of the Almeida Theatre. Sian was Managing Director of Policy Exchange and later Executive Director of the Legatum Institute. She is also a co-host of The Art Of Communication podcast.

Vicky Kell, Media Partnerships & Sales

Vicky Kell is accomplished senior commercial professional with extensive experience across the media and entertainment sectors. Vicky’s career has been built creating and executing multi-platform and multi-stakeholder content partnerships for some of the most recognisable properties in the world.

Will Aslett, Senior Executive Producer/Development Producer

A BAFTA and EMMY award-winning executive producer, series producer and senior development executive with strong relationships with major broadcasters and platforms. Will creates high rating content with over 60 commissions including BBC’s Coast and Richard Hammond’s Journeys.