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BBC Studios appoints WarnerMedia alum Cecilia Persson as MD of children’s arm

Former WarnerMedia executive Cecilia Persson has been named MD of BBC Children’s Productions as it prepares to become part of the UK pubcaster’s commercial arm, BBC Studios.

Cecilia Persson

Persson takes up the new role on January 1, reporting to Ralph Lee, CEO of BBC Studios Productions.

Persson was at WarnerMedia for more than 15 years, most recently as VP of programming and content strategy EMEA, acquisition and coproduction, international.

“Children’s joining BBC Studios Production is an exciting development full of opportunities, and Cecilia’s passion for the genre, as well as her experience in shaping and implementing strategy in this area, means she is brilliantly positioned to lead the business as it becomes an integral part of BBC Studios next year,” said Lee in a statement.

Persson added: “I feel privileged to be taking on this new role at such an important time. BBC Children’s content is globally renowned, and cherished by parents and kids alike. BBC Studios has bold ambitions to grow the value provided to younger audiences and I am looking forward to joining the brilliant teams on this journey.”

The merger of the BBC’s in-house children’s production unit into its commercial arm was unveiled in March 2021, as part of a broader strategy to drive commercial revenues. The transition is still ongoing and is expected to be complete by April 2022.

Shows produced in-house, including Blue Peter, JoJo & Gran Gran and My Mum Tracy Beaker, will come under the department as BBC Studios Children’s shows. BBC Studios distributes children’s hits including Bluey and Hey Duggee.

As part of the transition, director of children’s content Henrietta Hurford-Jones and her team will move from the Content Partnerships division to Studios Productions, mirroring changes that have taken place across other genres.

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