Network Ten’s general manager Russel Howcroft (pictured) has been appointed to the board of the troubled Australian Film Institute [AFI] and Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts [AACTA].

Howcroft, the former chief executive at GPY&R and regular Gruen Transfer panelist, is one of four new faces added to the board.

The others include recently retired Screen Producers Association of Australia executive director Geoff Brown, Deluxe Australia’s managing director Alaric McAusland and AHL’s general manager for alternate content and moonlight cinemas, Ian Sutherland.

The Australian has reported that the four have been tasked with saving the organisation and the AACTA Awards from financial and reputational ruin.

The Awards, held in January, struggled due to a lack of corporate partners and poor ratings.

AFI | AACTA previously had seven board members, but  the four appointments mean that the maximum nine positions have now been filled.  

Howcroft said the organisations have, “the opportunity to assist in the growth and expertise of Australia’s global creative community. AFI membership assists in personal creative development and the AACTA’s celebrate achievement. Network Ten is engaged in this process via the AACTA Awards Broadcast and I hope to personally assist via my previous experience in industry bodies.”