Elliot Hackney: Career, The Fellas Studios and His Impact on Digital Media

Elliot Hackney is a British digital media executive whose career has developed alongside the rise of social-first publishing, creator-led entertainment and video podcasting. Rather than becoming widely known as an on-screen celebrity, he has built his reputation behind the scenes across social media, sports content, creator businesses and podcast production.

He is best known today for his leadership at The Fellas Studios, the creator-led podcast company behind shows including The Fellas, Saving Grace, Pitchside and Bach & Arthur. His public LinkedIn profile describes him as Podcast Director and Chief Operating Officer of The Fellas Studios, now part of Global Media.

Quick Bio

Detail	Information
Full Name	Elliot Hackney
Profession	Digital Media Executive, Content Strategist
Nationality	British
Based In	London, England
Current Role	Podcast Director & COO, The Fellas Studios
Company	The Fellas Studios, part of Global Media
Education	Liverpool John Moores University
Industry	Digital Media, Podcasts, Creator Economy
Known For	Leadership at The Fellas Studios and work in social-first media
Previous Companies	Ladbrokes Coral, Spotlight Sports Group, True Geordie Productions
Notable Expertise	Podcasting, video content, social media, creator-led entertainment
Net Worth	Not publicly verified

Who Is Elliot Hackney?

Elliot Hackney is a London-based media operator, content strategist and executive. His professional path has included roles at Ladbrokes Coral, Spotlight Sports Group, True Geordie Productions and The Fellas Studios, giving him experience across branded content, social media, live sports programming and creator-led entertainment.

His career is notable because it spans both established companies trying to modernise their digital output and internet-native businesses built around creators and online communities.

From Sport to Social-First Media

Hackney’s public profile lists Liverpool John Moores University as part of his education from 2008 to 2011. Football remained a recurring theme in his later work, and he also obtained Football Association coaching and safeguarding certifications.

By 2015, he was working in a senior content and community role at London agency Lost Boys. He joined Ladbrokes Coral in 2016 as a senior content producer and later became Head of Social Media.

That period placed him at the intersection of sport, entertainment and rapidly changing social platforms. Brands increasingly needed content designed for online communities rather than conventional advertising simply reposted on social channels.

Ladbrokes Coral and Fan-Led Content

Hackney’s time at Ladbrokes Coral provides an early example of his interest in creator and fan media. In 2017, he discussed the company’s partnership with Ball Street Network, which connected Ladbrokes with football fan channels and creator-driven coverage.

He was also closely involved with The Kick Off, the live football show associated with True Geordie. In a later interview, Hackney said he had full oversight of the programme from conception to launch during his Ladbrokes Coral period. Marketing Week reported in 2019 that the project had performed strongly for the brand in areas including sign-ups and clicks.

The project demonstrated a model that later became common in digital media: brands working with online personalities while preserving the entertainment value and community feel that attracted viewers in the first place.

Modernising Content at Spotlight Sports Group

In 2019, Hackney moved to Spotlight Sports Group as Head of Content Marketing. The company said he was hired to lead a newly created function and increase Racing Post’s digital output while expanding its use of social platforms and video.

In an interview published by Spotlight Sports Group, Hackney emphasised creating content specifically for the platform on which it would appear. He also discussed changes to video production, social publishing, studio facilities and new sports programming.

The role increased his management responsibilities as well. By 2020, he was speaking publicly as Head of Content Marketing about Spotlight’s football preview shows and the talent assembled for them.

Moving Into Creator-Led Business Leadership

Hackney next joined True Geordie Productions, where public career records place him as Managing Director from 2021 to 2022.

This moved him further from brand-side social media into the operational side of a creator-led company. His previous experience with The Kick Off meant he already understood live digital sports programming, YouTube audiences and the relationship between creators, sponsors and viewers.

In 2022, SME News named him a “Rising Star in Content Marketing Leadership” in connection with True Geordie Productions.

Elliot Hackney and The Fellas Studios

Hackney joined The Fellas Studios in 2022 as Chief Operating Officer. The company was founded in 2021 by YouTubers Callum Airey, known as Calfreezy, and Joshua Larkin, known as TheBurntChip.

Official announcements identify Airey and Larkin as the founders, while Hackney has described himself as one of the people who helped build the business from the ground up. The studio developed a portfolio aimed heavily at younger audiences, with video treated as a core part of podcasting rather than an optional extra.

Its roster has included The Fellas, Saving Grace, Pitchside, Bach & Arthur and other creator-fronted formats distributed across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and social platforms.

Investment and Fellas Loaded

A major milestone came in 2023 when The Fellas Studios announced a £1.5 million investment backed by figures from the creator economy, including KSI and members of the Sidemen. The funding supported further expansion of its video podcast and creator-brand model.

In 2024, the company launched Fellas Loaded, a paid subscription service offering exclusive videos, early podcast access and membership benefits. Hackney described it as the studio’s first subscription product for The Fellas Podcast, and in 2026 said subscriber numbers were still increasing.

The product shows how creator businesses can move beyond advertising and sponsorship by developing direct relationships with their most engaged audiences.

The Global Acquisition and Hackney’s Current Role

On October 7, 2025, Global announced that it had acquired The Fellas Studios while launching Global Studios, a new division focused on video-first podcast content. Global said the acquisition was the first deal under the new banner.

The deal brought The Fellas Studios into a much larger media organisation with infrastructure spanning audio, advertising, distribution and outdoor media. Hackney described the acquisition as the outcome of years spent building the company alongside its founders, creators and staff.

As of the latest publicly visible professional information, Hackney continues to identify himself as Podcast Director and COO of The Fellas Studios, part of Global Media. His recent posts also show continued involvement in commercial partnerships and new formats across the studio’s portfolio.

What Makes His Media Approach Notable?

Hackney’s career reflects several broader changes in modern media. One is the importance of platform-specific thinking. His comments at Racing Post showed an emphasis on adapting format, length and distribution to the platform rather than applying one content model everywhere.

Another is his long-running focus on creators and communities. From football fan channels and The Kick Off to The Fellas Studios, his work has followed the growing commercial power of personalities who built audiences directly through YouTube and social media.

He has also moved from content production into operations and business building. Creator companies increasingly need the same capabilities as established media businesses: production systems, sales, distribution, talent development and long-term brand strategy.

Personal Life and Net Worth

Hackney keeps much of his private life outside the media spotlight. In a public LinkedIn post in 2026, he mentioned returning from paternity leave after the birth of his son, Kit, and thanked his partner, Abbie. Beyond what he has shared publicly himself, there is little reliable information that warrants further discussion.

There is also no independently verified public figure for Elliot Hackney’s net worth. Estimates on low-authority biography websites should not be treated as confirmed financial information.

Conclusion

Elliot Hackney’s career shows how media leadership has evolved with social platforms and the creator economy. His path from sports-focused social content through Ladbrokes Coral, Spotlight Sports Group and True Geordie Productions led to an executive role at The Fellas Studios during a period of rapid growth in video-first podcasting.

The 2025 acquisition by Global placed that work inside a major media group, while Hackney’s continued role highlights the growing value of creator-economy expertise to established entertainment companies. His influence is best understood through the formats, businesses and audience strategies he has helped develop.

FAQs.

Who is Elliot Hackney?

Elliot Hackney is a British digital media executive and content strategist. He is best known for his leadership role at The Fellas Studios and has previously held senior positions at Ladbrokes Coral, Spotlight Sports Group and True Geordie Productions.

What does Elliot Hackney do at The Fellas Studios?

His current public professional profile lists him as Podcast Director and Chief Operating Officer of The Fellas Studios. His work sits across the operational and commercial side of a creator-led media business producing video, audio and social content.

Did Elliot Hackney found The Fellas Studios?

No. Official announcements identify Callum Airey, or Calfreezy, and Joshua Larkin, or TheBurntChip, as the founders in 2021. Hackney joined as COO in 2022 and has said he helped build the company alongside them.

Is The Fellas Studios owned by Global?

Yes. Global announced its acquisition of The Fellas Studios on October 7, 2025, alongside the launch of Global Studios. The deal made The Fellas Studios part of Global’s broader expansion into creator-led, video-first podcast content.

What is Elliot Hackney’s net worth?

There is no trustworthy, independently verified public estimate of Elliot Hackney’s personal net worth. His senior media roles, the 2023 investment in The Fellas Studios and the company’s later acquisition do not provide enough information to calculate his personal wealth accurately.

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