Lauren Watson is Vice President of Brand & Marketing at ITV Studios, the producer of Rivals, Queer Eye and Love Island. With more than a decade of experience, she has launched and developed brands across 36 countries, working with talent, production labels and partners to create compelling stories. She was named one of Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35 and speaks on brand building and marketing.
How many years have you been a judge?
This is my first year!
What are your responsibilities in your current role and what do you love most about your job?
I lead the brand team at ITV Studios, shaping the annual brand and marketing plan to build the profile and reputation of our 65 labels across 13 countries. That means bringing our studios together under one clear, cohesive brand while helping each label and show reach the right audiences. What I love most is the breadth of the role: working with talented people across different markets to tell the stories behind our shows and build brands with global reach.
What inspired you to pursue your career path?
I love turning ideas into something people genuinely connect with. That led me into entertainment, where I’ve been able to help build global brands around the shows and stories audiences love.
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first role in the industry was in brand management at EE. It taught me that consistency is key: every touchpoint needs to feel recognisably part of the same brand, while still being relevant to the people you’re trying to reach.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
Excellence in video starts with an idea that makes you stop scrolling. It should feel distinctive, tell a clear story and create an emotional connection, all while staying true to the brand.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
If I told you, I would have to make you sign an NDA!
Tell us about a moment of recognition that had an effect on you – whether personal or official? What does recognition mean to you and why is it important in our industry?
Becoming a mum has been the most meaningful recognition of what matters to me. I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved at work, but motherhood has grounded me in a different kind of reality: the everyday mix of nappies, chaos and joy. It’s reminded me that recognition isn’t only about titles or awards; it’s also about recognising the people and moments that give our lives meaning.
Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?
I try to get outdoors and look up from my phone. A change of scene helps me notice things I might otherwise miss and gives my mind room to wander. I also surround myself with people who bring different perspectives, and I’m not afraid of having a bad idea. You often need to try lots of things before one really clicks.
In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?
One of the biggest changes is that audiences now move fluidly between television, social video and streaming. A show’s life doesn’t begin and end with its broadcast: people discover it through clips, talk about it online and carry it into popular culture. The opportunity is to think about the whole audience experience from the start, while staying clear about what makes the story and brand distinctive.
What excites you about judging for the Telly Awards?
I’m excited to see the range of creativity and ideas coming through in video and television, and to discover fresh perspectives and new talent.
