Ex-Paramount Exec Donny Hugo Herran Teams With CMG Productions

EXCLUSIVE: Donny Hugo Herran has teamed with Rebecca Knight and Claire McArdle’s CMG Productions. He will be the UK-based company’s production executive in the U.S.

Based in L.A., Herran is a former SVP of Physical Production at Paramount. With CMG, he will support U.S. content companies that want to shoot, finance and co-produce projects across the UK and Europe.

Working with Knight and McArdle, he will provide support from the development of projects through to delivery. Specifically, that will take in production strategy and co-production, physical production and post-production.

During his time at Paramount, Herran helped build out production operations across North America, Europe and South America, taking advantage of international incentive schemes. He was an executive in charge of production for the studio and has worked on big-ticket franchises, including the Taylor Sheridan Universe.

McArdle and Knight are both former Paramount (then Viacom) execs. The former is known as a Comedy Central International commissioner and the latter as an international production exec. They have run CMG as co-CEOs since 2021.

CMG has worked with networks and studios including Netflix, Sky, ITV, Peacock and Paramount+. It has provided production services on series including MobLand and The Agency.

Knight said Herran’s understanding of the U.S. studio system as well as the international production landscape makes him a good partner for CMG.

“His depth of experience is second to none, having spent almost two decades at the forefront of physical production for one of the world’s largest studios. His understanding of how U.S. studios develop, finance and deliver content, combined with his insight into the nuances of international production makes him an exceptional addition to CMG.”

Herran said that having worked with Knight and McArdle, he was keen to join forces with them.

“Their ability to combine deep local expertise with a sophisticated understanding of U.S. studio expectations makes them an invaluable partner on complex international productions.”

He added: “Having seen the strength of that partnership from the client side, I’m thrilled to be partnering with CMG at this pivotal moment in its growth and look forward to helping expand its reputation for delivering world-class production services and trusted global partnerships.”