Sonar hires from Sky, Lionsgate

US producer and distributor Sonar Entertainment is undertaking a “major expansion” of its sales division with the appointment of senior Lionsgate and Sky Vision execs and plans for a new Asian office.

David Ellender

Carol Eymery, most recently senior VP of international distribution for Lionsgate International, has been named Sonar’s exec VP of international distribution for EMEA with a remit covering all traditional and digital formats and platforms.

Eymery handled TV and SVoD sales for Lionsgate for French- and German-speaking territories and Benelux, and previously worked for Slingshot Global Media and HBO.

She is joined by fellow Lionsgate exec Roberta Ibba-Hartog, who has been named senior VP for international distribution in EMEA at Sonar. Ibba-Hartog, who reports to Eymery, was Lionsgate UK’s senior VP for international distribution and before that worked at HBO Enterprises and Sony Pictures Television International.

Meanwhile, Kylie Munnich has become Sonar’s senior VP of international distribution for Australasia, having most recently been director of drama and comedy Sky Vision.

The former Sony Pictures Television exec, who has also worked for MGM International Television Distribution, is joined at Sonar by Televisa USA sales manager Andres Santos, who has been named VP of international distribution for Latin America, Brazil and Hispanic North America.

Prior to arriving at Sonar, Santos managed sales to Latin American, US Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern and African territories for Televisa, having previously worked for Dori Media America and RCTV International.

London-based Eymery, Sydney-based Munnich and Santos in Miami will all report to former FremantleMedia International and Slingshot Media boss David Ellender, who was named president of global distribution and coproductions at Sonar earlier this year.

Ellender has also revealed that Sonar, formerly known as RHI Entertainment and behind forthcoming BBC1 and FX drama Taboo, will open a new office in Singapore next year, with details to follow.

“This is a dynamic sales team with a sophisticated ability to leverage both traditional and emerging platforms and rights,” said Ellender.

“Beyond that, these outstanding professionals are also our eyes and ears on the ground as we seek out strategic alliances and look to build local collaborations with producers and networks in all global territories.

“Bringing this team together is an enormous step in fulfilling our vision of Sonar as an industry leader delivering an unparalleled, customised level of service worldwide.”

Patrick Phelan, who joined Sonar in 2015 as VP of international distribution for EMEA, retains his role managing sales in the region and will now report to Eymery.

Sonar, which rebranded in 2012, is also behind fantasy series The Shannara Chronicles and appointed Thomas Lesinski as its permanent CEO after the industry veteran took the role on an interim basis last year. Ellender joined the company from Slingshot, his own prodco, in March.