Dr. Leon Hawthorne is a media executive, who works at the intersection of content, commerce, and technology. A former World News Anchor for CNN International and CEO of two UK satellite TV channels – The Baby Channel & Simply TV – Leon has created a slew of single genre digital channels, such as Health Zone, Book Zone, and Theatreland TV. He also advised the CEOs of Hearst Magazines, the Independent, the London Evening Standard, and Boots.com on their digital strategies. Leon holds a PhD from City, University of London. His 2024 doctoral thesis, titled ‘Talking Heads’, was on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence to create human-like, interactive avatars (‘virtual humans’) as an interface for communicating with consumers.

Leon advised CEOs of media and retail brands on digital content strategies.

Leon worked as a lobby correspondent for BBC News, covering UK politics.

Anchoring World News for CNN International, Atlanta.

Anchoring political talk show, ‘Despatch Box’ for BBC 2.

Anchoring World News for CNBC Europe, London.