Biography
Accomplished expedition leader, event producer, creative director and all-round entrepreneur Russ Malkin does not let barriers stand in his way. When it comes to producing some of the world's leading events and record-breaking challenges, Russ thrives on the challenge of the 'impossible'.
This pioneering spirit has allowed Russ to pull off a variety of major stunts, ranging from taking a movie from script to screen in a record-breaking 13 days, to pitching super cars in a race against the Orient Express. He even secured Boots as title sponsors of the world's largest aerobics event with 15,000 people exercising in London's Earls Court to raise £1million for the Royal Marsden Cancer Appeal.
As the business brain behind the global TV success stories Long Way Round (2004) and Long Way Down (2007), Russ proved his strengths by not only achieving financing for the expeditions to be planned and shot for television but also by directing these incredible television series. The acclaimed series documented actors Ewan McGregor’s and Charley Boorman’s epic motorcycle journeys around the world - from London to New York in Long Way Round and more recently from John O’Groats to Cape Town in Long Way Down.
Their exploits formed a unique television series that went on to spawn a best-selling DVD, book and CD soundtrack. The series sold worldwide into territories including Australia, Canada, Japan, France, Spain and Italy.
As team leader, Russ undertook both of the ambitious trips, experiencing new and diverse cultures in countries such as Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Sudan and Ethiopia, encountering many fascinating and inspiring stories along the way. The resulting television series and books have motivated many 'ordinary' people to go on their own individual yet challenging adventures, which is a tribute to the success that Russ has created.
Having also filmed on location at the 2006 Dakar Rally, one of the world's harshest challenges and the most demanding and dangerous endurance motor race in the world, Russ’s passion for adventure is relentless. Never one to rest on his laurels, Russ’s most recent project was one of his biggest challenges yet. By Any Means sees Russ travel with Charley Boorman from Ireland to Australia using any method of transport that is appropriate to the country they were travelling through. The series aired on BBC2 in autumn 2008 and had viewers gripped as they followed the team’s journey through some of the world’s most exciting and captivating countries including Georgia, Nepal, China and Azerbaijan. The series is now due to be broadcast around the world in 2009 on National Geographic Channel. In the meantime, Russ is planning his next big adventure....
Via his TV production company, Big Earth, Russ has masterminded some of the most exclusive sponsor-led global sports and event programming, including: the FIA European Drag Racing Championships 2000-2003; the FIM European Bike Championships 2000-2003; the Honda Formula One Powerboat Championships 2001; Formula One motor racing; and the Honda Formula Four Stroke, for which Russ secured carriage on Channel 4.
Russ showed a shrewd appreciation of branding by spearheading the campaign to save the floundering HEMS London Air Ambulance after it lost its sponsor. Harnessing the national media and making it a hot topic in the capital, he persuaded Richard Branson to come to the rescue with a Virgin-branded mini helicopter. Within two weeks, Virgin took over the contract and the future of London's air ambulance was secure.
This brand prowess was again brought to the fore when Haymarket approached Russ to produce the Clothes Show Live 2002 and 2003 as a one-hour primetime special on ITV. With presenters including Caryn Franklin, Tess Daly and Tamara Beckwith, the event achieved benchmark status as the ultimate showcase for UK fashion.
Russ and his production company Big Earth have devised developed and delivered some of the world's most exhilarating event television. Imagination and daring are all that can hold Russ back, and he has those by the barrel-load.
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