Elliot Hackney: The Strategic Mind Powering the UK’s Digital Podcast Revolution
Inside the career, vision, and influence of a modern media executive shaping the creator economy
Elliot Hackney has emerged as one of the most influential figures in the modern British media landscape. Known for his sharp strategic thinking, deep understanding of digital audiences, and ability to scale creator-led businesses, Elliot Hackney represents a new generation of media executives who bridge traditional management with internet-native culture. As the Chief Operating Officer of The Fellas Studios, he has played a decisive role in transforming the company into a dominant force in video-first podcasting, reaching billions of views and redefining how young audiences engage with long-form content.
This article explores Elliot Hackney’s background, career journey, leadership philosophy, and growing impact on the UK creator economy. It examines why his approach resonates so strongly in today’s digital-first media environment.
Elliot Hackney and the Rise of Digital-First Media
The media industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last decade. Traditional broadcasters no longer hold a monopoly on attention, and digital-native studios now compete at scale with television networks. Elliot Hackney’s career has closely followed, and in many ways anticipated, this shift.
Rather than approaching content from a purely editorial standpoint, Elliot Hackney has consistently focused on systems, audience behavior, and platform mechanics. His work reflects a belief that sustainable media success comes from understanding how people consume content, why they share it, and how creators can build long-term brands instead of short-lived viral moments.
Leadership at The Fellas Studios
Scaling a Video-First Podcast Powerhouse
When Elliot Hackney became COO of The Fellas Studios in March 2022, the company was already well known within YouTube and podcast circles. Under his operational leadership, the studio entered a period of accelerated growth, professionalisation, and strategic clarity.
The Fellas Studios specialises in video-first podcasts aimed at the 18 to 35 demographic, a group that increasingly prefers YouTube and social platforms over traditional audio-only formats. Shows such as The Fellas, Saving Grace, and The Kick Off have thrived in this ecosystem, combining strong personalities with production values optimised for digital discovery.
By 2023, the studio achieved more than 1.7 billion views across platforms, a milestone that highlighted the effectiveness of its content and distribution strategy. Elliot Hackney’s role has been central in aligning creative teams, commercial partners, and platform strategy into a single scalable operation.
Operational Excellence and Creator Support
A defining feature of Elliot Hackney’s leadership style is his focus on enabling creators rather than controlling them. Instead of imposing rigid corporate structures, he has helped build operational frameworks that allow talent to focus on creativity while benefiting from professional support in production, monetisation, and brand partnerships.
This balance between structure and freedom has become a hallmark of The Fellas Studios and a key reason why creators are drawn to the company.
Hackney Media and Independent Strategy
Beyond his role at The Fellas Studios, Elliot Hackney is the founder of Hackney Media, an independent media business launched in 2022. The company reflects his broader interest in advising and building digital brands outside a single-studio environment.
Hackney Media focuses on content strategy, audience growth, and commercial positioning, reinforcing Elliot Hackney’s reputation as both an operator and a strategic thinker. This dual perspective allows him to understand media not just as entertainment, but as a sustainable business model in an increasingly competitive digital space.
Career Foundations in Sports and Betting Media
Experience at True Geordie Productions
Before joining The Fellas Studios, Elliot Hackney served as Managing Director of True Geordie Productions. There, he oversaw content and operations for one of the UK’s most recognisable YouTube and podcast brands, further refining his ability to manage talent-led media businesses.
Content Marketing and Social Innovation
Earlier roles at Spotlight Sports Group and Ladbrokes Coral placed Elliot Hackney at the intersection of sport, content, and digital marketing. At Ladbrokes Coral, he was particularly influential in pioneering sports-related social media strategies that helped redefine how betting brands engaged audiences online.
These experiences gave him a strong grounding in performance metrics, compliance-aware creativity, and high-volume content ecosystems, skills that would later prove invaluable in podcast and creator-led media.
Early Career and Sporting Roots
Elliot Hackney’s early professional life included roles at bet365 and work as a casual coach with Stoke City Football Club. These formative experiences embedded a deep understanding of sport, teamwork, and performance culture that continues to influence his management style.
Public Voice and Thought Leadership
Elliot Hackney is not only an executive behind the scenes. He is also a visible figure in industry discussions, frequently appearing on podcasts and speaking at global events such as Web Summit and SXSW London.
His talks often focus on the creator economy, influencer marketing, and overcoming the “cringe barrier,” a term for the fear many individuals and brands feel when putting themselves on camera. By addressing this openly, Elliot Hackney has helped normalise authenticity as a competitive advantage in digital content.
In addition, he runs a personal YouTube channel with close to 20,000 subscribers, largely centred on football commentary. This hands-on involvement keeps him connected to audience sentiment and platform trends, reinforcing his credibility as both an executive and a creator.
Education and Analytical Mindset
Elliot Hackney holds a degree in Science and Football from Liverpool John Moores University, as well as a BTEC in Sports and Exercise Science. This academic background reflects a blend of analytical thinking and practical application, a combination that mirrors his professional approach to media and business.
Elliot Hackney’s Impact on the Creator Economy
What sets Elliot Hackney apart is his ability to see creators not as short-term influencers, but as long-term media brands. His work contributes to a broader shift in how digital talent is managed, monetised, and supported.
By prioritising sustainability, audience trust, and scalable operations, Elliot Hackney has helped position digital-first studios as serious competitors to traditional media companies. His influence extends beyond individual shows, shaping industry standards for production quality, creator welfare, and commercial integrity.
Conclusion
Elliot Hackney represents a new archetype of media leadership, one rooted in data, creativity, and cultural awareness. His career demonstrates how digital-native thinking can transform podcasts and online creators into globally relevant media properties. As the creator economy continues to evolve, Elliot Hackney’s influence is likely to grow, positioning him as a defining figure in the future of British and international digital media.
(FAQs)
Who is Elliot Hackney?
Elliot Hackney is a British media executive and content producer best known as the Chief Operating Officer of The Fellas Studios and the founder of Hackney Media. He specialises in digital-first podcasting and creator-led media businesses.
What is Elliot Hackney known for?
Elliot Hackney is known for scaling successful podcast studios, developing video-first content strategies, and playing a key role in the growth of the UK creator economy.
What companies has Elliot Hackney worked for?
Throughout his career, Elliot Hackney has worked with The Fellas Studios, True Geordie Productions, Spotlight Sports Group, Ladbrokes Coral, bet365, and Stoke City Football Club.
Does Elliot Hackney create content himself?
Yes, Elliot Hackney runs a personal YouTube channel focused mainly on football content and regularly appears on podcasts and at industry events.
Why is Elliot Hackney influential in digital media?
Elliot Hackney is influential because he combines operational expertise with deep platform knowledge, enabling creators and studios to build sustainable, high-performing media brands in a competitive digital environment.
