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BBCS creates global distribution role

BBC Studios (BBCS) has brought its international sales and distribution business together into a single global distribution group with Paul Dempsey taking up a new role in the US.

Paul Dempsey

As president of global distribution at BBCS, Dempsey will relocate from London to New York and have responsibility for overall sales and distribution strategy, key customer management and the company’s international channels and services.

Formerly president of global markets at BBCS, Dempsey joined the commercial arm of the UK pubcaster in 1998 and has held a number of senior positions since then, including interim CEO, MD of consumer products and director of audio and music.

The successor to Ann Sarnoff, who left her role as president of Americas at BBCS to become the new chair and CEO of US studio Warner Bros, is currently being recruited.

That new appointment will join the MD of Australia and New Zealand, and the executive VPs of Asia, Western Europe and Central/Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, in reporting to Dempsey.

As of now, the regional leads will have accountability for their respective regions, with Dempsey assuming overall accountability for the strategy for the expanded operation. These changes at the BBC’s commercial and production arm will take effect on September 1.

Tim Davie, CEO of BBCS, said: “Bringing together our international regions, while maintaining a strong regional focus, continues the evolution of our global distribution business and particularly the way we serve major customers. We are fortunate to have someone of Paul’s immense experience to take this important role.”

Dempsey added: “Having visibility across all our customer relationships and international distribution activity will make us more joined up and effective, both globally and regionally.”

BBCS, formed after a merger between the BBC’s studio division and commercial arm BBC Worldwide, launched as a wholly owned subsidiary in 2017 and competes for work with other UK and international broadcasters, as well as the BBC.

The Planet Earth and Doctor Who distributor returned £243m (US$295m) to the UK pubcaster in its first year as a fully merged company, it revealed in its first full-year results last month.

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