ITN gives ITV Studios exec int’l role

UK production outfit ITN Productions has expanded its international unit with the appointment of an ITV Studios exec as executive producer.

Sarah-Jane Cohen

Sarah-Jane Cohen is joining the London-based company to work with head of international productions Ian Russell and development executive Denise Castelli.

Cohen has been an executive producer at ITV Studios, based in New York, since 2017. She is a former BBC executive whose credits include Watchdog, Newsnight and Crimewatch UK.

In the US she has worked on factual entertainment formats and documentary series for Bravo, TLC, HGTV and Sundance channels and has been responsible for creating and producing successful, long-running series such as Sell it Like Serhant, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.

One of Cohen’s first projects at ITN Productions will be a royal-themed programme for an as-yet unnamed US broadcaster.

Ian Rumsey, director of TV production, said: “I am delighted to have someone of Sarah-Jane’s calibre joining us. Our international slate and our presence in the US market continue to grow. We’ve a very strong team, which I’m confident will take us to the next level.”

ITN Productions is also working with Emmy-winning showrunner and writer Bruce Kennedy to spearhead development on the US east coast, from New York. His credits range from true crime to historical docs and large-scale live events.

Russell said: “The ITN Productions International team is building an enviable reputation for documentaries with programmes like Drug Lords for Netflix and Thai Cave Rescue for Discovery Channel. Having Sarah-Jane in our UK office and working with Bruce on projects in the US will help to take us to the next level.”

The appointments follow ITN Productions’ recent announcement that BBC Studios’ Georgina Madley is joining as the new head of development and Grace Dean is being promoted to head of shortform.