Scripps bolsters int’l sales arm

US cable network operator Scripps Networks Interactive has promoted one executive and hired another from Off The Fence as it looks to increase its international programme licensing activities.

Elise Ching

Elise Ching has been promoted to director of programme licensing for Asia while Gerbrig Blanksma joins as director of programme licensing for EMEA.

Ching joins Scripps in 2013 as programme acquisitions director and is based in Singapore. She will now be responsible for the firm’s programme sales growth strategy across Asia.

Prior to Scripps she worked for Asian Food Channel, which Scripps acquired in 2013. She has also had stints at Seven Network in Australia and Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia.

Gerbrig Blanksma

Blanksma will join Scripps at the end of this month having previously been VP of sales and business development for Netherlands-based sales house Off The Fence.

Based in London, she will now be responsible for the licensing strategy and new business opportunities across EMEA.

Both will report to VP of programme licensing Hud Woodle, a company veteran who was brought in to run the distribution arm of Scripps when it launched in 2014.