Better Business / Member news
Acclaimed creative group appoints new CEO with plans for expansion
Distortion Creative Group, the parent company of Studio Giggle, has announced the appointment of Rob King as its new chief executive and investor.
King’s arrival comes as the company embarks on a rebrand and ambitious expansion strategy, targeting growth in Bristol and the South West, with a vision to become a global creative leader.
With a background in senior roles at renowned organisations such as Abbey Road Studios, Zinc Media-owned The Edge Picture Company, and several award-winning creative agencies, King brings a wealth of experience in sales, marketing, and creative strategy.
His focus will be on scaling Studio Giggle’s operations in live events, film, animation, and content production, while transforming Distortion Studios into a world-class virtual production hub.
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King sees his new role as an opportunity to take Distortion Creative Group to the next stage of its growth and development.
King said: “Studio Giggle is entering its 18th year, and this ‘coming of age’ marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the company. We’ve been a maverick creative force in Bristol, but now we’re set on becoming the go-to agency for creative content in the South West as well as for our clients nationwide and beyond.”
Despite a well-documented downturn in the film world, Distortion Creative Group has seen growth over the past year, expanding its staff by 20 per cent following new work for clients and producing events in locations as far-flung as Singapore and the Middle East.
Despite a well-documented downturn in the film world, Distortion Creative Group has seen growth over the past year, expanding its staff by 20 per cent following new work for clients – photo: Distortion Group
“The vision that directors Jonathan Brigden and Steve Garratt have shown crafting the region’s go-to creative agency is phenomenal. I look forward to collaborating with them on the next steps, as well as working with the talented staff base that has made Distortion Creative Group what it is today,” said King.
While Studio Giggle has traditionally worked with clients in London and internationally, its plans include a focus on Bristol’s burgeoning tech and fintech industries, offering creative and technical production solutions that align with the region’s growing reputation as a global hub for creativity.
As part of the expansion plan, King will also oversee the development of Bristol’s first permanent virtual production facility, positioning Distortion Studios as a pioneer in sustainable and cutting-edge production technologies.
“We have an incredible mix of creativity, technology, and storytelling that puts us in an advantageous position as the world enters a new era of production possibilities. In particular, our early adoption of AI and software, including Unreal Engine, has revolutionised the creative potential for clients of all sizes,” he added.
Distortion Group’s flagship company, Studio Giggle, is known for its innovative approach to storytelling and creative production, with clients such as British Airways – photo: British Airways
Steve Garratt, Distortion Creative Group’s founder and creative director, said: “Rob’s addition marks a pivotal point in our ongoing plan to grow a world-class creative agency and Virtual Production studio in Bristol. Both Jonathan Brigden and I are excited to welcome Rob to the team and draw on his unique expertise.”
“Our rebrand positions us as pioneers in exciting new areas of creative technologies, so expansion is certainly front of mind,” said Rob King (far right), new chief executive at Distortion Creative Group – photo: Distortion
“Bristol has been our home for 18 years and it’s a great opportunity to now give back and help businesses in the area excel creatively,” King concluded.
Main photo: Distortion Creative Group
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