BBCS creates APAC division

BBC Studios (BBCS), the commercial and production arm of the UK pubcaster, has merged its Asia, Australia and New Zealand sales divisions to create a new Asia-Pacific regional business.

Jon Penn

The APAC arm comprises BBCS’s international distribution businesses for Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Jon Penn, who was MD of BBCS in Australia and New Zealand, has been appointed executive VP of the APAC division.

The move follows the departure of Myleeta Aga, who stood in as acting executive VP for Asia in July after David Weiland returned to the UK to take up a newly created role of executive VP of engagement.

The restructure also comes after all BBCS’s international sales and distribution businesses came together as a single global distribution group earlier this week, under Paul Dempsey.

Dempsey, president of global distribution, said: “Jon’s ability and experience makes him ideally suited to extend his remit across our successful Asia business. He has overseen an impressive growth story in Australia and New Zealand and this is a great opportunity to bring our fast growing Asia business into a formidable APAC region.”

Prior to joining BBCS, Penn was CEO of Asia-Pacific for prodco Fremantle’s international distribution division.