Flame finds factual vet

Australia’s Flame Media is expanding its distribution business by appointing a factual television veteran as its US-based sales representative.

Lou Occhicone, who has worked in programming and distribution for more than 20 years, has been named Flame’s VP of content sales for North America.

Most recently, the exec was working as a consultant and brokered a coproduction deal for Buck Productions with US cablenet Reelz to produce four 10-part series.

Prior to that, he was chief operating officer of independent company CMJ Distribution, where he was responsible for creating factual production partnerships with global television networks.

Phil Barnsdall-Thompson, Flame’s VP of acquisitions for UK and Europe, will now also service North America under a company restructure.

Flame’s new US operation adds to its sales offices in Sydney, Singapore, Greece and London. The production and distribution house specialises in factual entertainment and documentary content.