Argonon grows sales arm with NBCU hire

UK production group Argonon has built up the team at its distribution division by hiring a senior VP from NBCUniversal International Studios.

Cecilie Olsen

Cecilie Olsen is joining Argonon International as senior VP of sales and acquisitions, based in London and responsible for driving distribution and format sales for the business worldwide.

She joins from NBCUniversal International Studios where she was director of formats and production, leading format sales in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Russia, CIS, Germany and Africa.

Prior to that she was VP of sales at ITV-owned Twofour, where she helped to launch the company’s distribution division. She also held sales roles at Target Entertainment, Fox Sports International and Sullivan Entertainment.

The appointment comes as Argonon International increases its investment in original content, third-party productions and acquisitions.

As part of the expansion plans, Olsen has hired Paul Glynn as senior sales executive and is also on the look-out for a head of acquisitions.

Glynn is an experienced international TV distribution executive, most recently working at Guinness World Records as senior TV distribution manager.

The division recently sold its sci-fi comedy series Eve to SVT (Sweden), ABC (Australia), NRK (Norway), EBS (South Korea) and HBO (Latin America). Bomanbridge Media brokered the South Korea deal.

Paul Glynn

Eve is produced by Argonon-owned prodco Leopard for CBBC.

Olsen will report to Laura Bessell-Martin, Argonon Group’s chief operating officer, who said: “With Cecilie’s track record of launching sales divisions, securing landmark deals and a clear passion for what she does, along with the current expansion of the sales team, Argonon International is poised to maximise on all our content globally.”

Olsen said: “Argonon is currently undergoing rapid growth and I am excited to join their international distribution division. I look forward to growing the team and establishing our content in the international marketplace.”

Argonon International is the distribution arm of Argonon Group, founded by CEO James Burstall in 2011, with offices in London, Glasgow, New York and Vancouver.