Shine tends to Hedges

ITV Studios Global Entertainment’s (ITVSGE) senior VP of sales and acquisitions for the Americas, Noel Hedges.

Hedges joins Shine’s sales arm, Shine International, in the new position of senior VP of acquisitions, relocating from ITVSGE’s LA base to the superindie’s new distribution centre in London.

Hedges will manage the existing Shine International portfolio, advising in-house producers on coproduction and funding, and he will also oversee third-party content and distribution strategies. His remit will span scripted and unscripted programming

Hedges will report to Shine International’s CEO once that position has been filled. It was vacated when Chris Grant left earlier this year.

An LA-based team that includes former Fox Television Studios and Sony Pictures Television executive Hayley Babcock will support Hedges. Babcock joins as a consultant this month.

An ITV Studios spokeswoman said the firm would announce a direct replacement for Hedges in the coming weeks.

Hedges’ previous roles have included head of drama and comedy for ITVSGE and sales and acquisitions positions at Granada International, Carlton International Media and the BBC.

“Noel has an exceptional track record across many genres and territories and will be a key addition to the Shine International team in its new home in London,” said Shine Group president Alex Mahon.

Shine International announced it was moving its headquarters from LA to London in May this year, a move that saw Grant leave, along with executive VP John Pollak. The latter remains at the company until the end of the year.

Hedges’ first major gig – Mipcom in October – will see him showcasing scripted series including BBC2 drama The Hour; and key unscripted formats MasterChef, One Born Every Minute, The Biggest Loser and The Renovators, which premiered in Australia this week on Network Ten.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp bought Shine, which was owned by his daughter Elisabeth, for £415m (US$679.8m) earlier this year.