DRG names commercial director

UK-based distributor DRG has promoted one of its senior executives to the new role of commercial director.

Adam Barth

Adam Barth becomes senior VP for EMEA and commercial director at DRG, reporting to exec VP of sales Elin Thomas.

DRG said it had created the position in response to “industry and market changes as well as developments within DRG as it continues to evolve from a traditional distributor to wide-ranging content business.”

Barth recently worked on DRG’s co-commissioning deal with TV3 in Norway, which is owned by the distributor’s parent company NENT Group. The agreement will see the broadcaster launching factual projects in a guaranteed slot, with shows paid for via a commissioning budget funded by both TV3 and DRG.

Thomas said that “with the evolving nature of distribution, the roles of our teams also need to change,” adding that “multi-faceted approaches to content need flexible, multi-faceted salespeople – and individuals like Adam are leading the charge.”

“With this promotion, he will be operating much more closely with both content creators and platforms where that content finds an audience, in order to generate value for all parties.”

Barth added that his appointment “elevates our continued strategy for looking at new ways to create, fund and exploit content – but it’s not just about selling. My focus is on working more closely with producers and broadcasters to recognise the best opportunities for everyone.”

Barth joined DRG in 2015 from New Media Vision and retains his overall responsibility for the EMEA region, with a specific focus on Germany and the Nordics. His other territories will be divided among the team, with Benelux and Italy being picked up by Lucy Roberts and Central and Eastern Europe by Amity Easter-Utley.