Fox Hired Two Senior Creator Studio Executives
The company appointed two new senior vice presidents to lead its expansion into creator-driven franchises.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People
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Fox Creator Studios has hired Bryan Thoensen and Kirsten McAuliffe as senior vice presidents to accelerate the development of creator-based franchises. These new appointments are intended to help the company scale creator businesses and craft premium entertainment opportunities for its advertising partners.
Why it matters
By bringing on experienced leadership from major digital platforms, Fox aims to bridge the gap between traditional media production and the creator economy to attract broader advertiser interest. This strategy focuses on building scalable franchises that leverage the reach and engagement of modern online content creators.
Fox added two senior vice president roles to its staff, moving to secure leadership for its evolving creator business model. The total number of executives now dedicated to this specific studio expansion remains confidential.
The players
Bryan Thoensen
He is the new senior vice president of content partnerships and previously held a position at TikTok.
Kirsten McAuliffe
She is the new senior vice president of strategic partnerships and growth who formerly worked at Moonbug and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Billy Parks
He is the executive overseeing the new hires at Fox Creator Studios.
The details
Bryan Thoensen joins the studio from TikTok to lead the development of creator franchises, while Kirsten McAuliffe moves from Moonbug and Warner Bros. Discovery to manage commercial strategy. Both will report directly to Billy Parks as they work to integrate creator talent into Fox advertising sales workflows.
Timeline
Fox announced these executive appointments on October 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move reflects the ongoing industry-wide pivot toward the creator economy, where traditional networks are increasingly competing for audience share against digital-native platforms. By integrating executive talent from established social media giants, Fox is positioning itself to capture shifting advertising budgets currently favoring creator-led content.
Viewers can expect to see an influx of new, creator-driven programming as the studio refines its strategy to integrate online talent into traditional broadcasts. Advertisers may find new opportunities to connect with audiences through branded creator franchises developed under this new leadership.
The takeaway
Legacy media organizations continue to invest heavily in digital-first talent to remain relevant in a fragmented streaming market. Success in this space depends on the ability to translate the raw engagement of independent creators into the polished, scalable formats that traditional advertisers demand.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit our People section.
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