BossaNova hires Nat Geo alum Francesca Johnson, Iona Hopper for acquisitions

Francesca Johnson (left) and Ioana Hopper

Former National Geographic executive Francesca Johnson has been appointed as head of acquisitions at UK content creation, funding and distribution company BossaNova Media.

She will step into the shoes of current head of acquisitions Claire Runham, who is leaving to spend more time with her family.

Johnson most recently served as exec VP of content at Anyway Content, where she was responsible for building the start-up’s unscripted business and driving its development slate.

Prior to that, she worked for US network Nat Geo for 11 years, overseeing development and working with the London-based commissioning team on shows such as Diana: In Her Own Words, Drain the Oceans, Inside North Korea’s Dynasty and Lost Cities.

Johnson also worked with network heads across Asia, Europe and Latin America to identifying strategic coproduction opportunities for locally produced content. Her executive producer credits include Heroes of the Sky: The Real Mighty Eighth Air Force, 9/11: Control the Skies and India From Above.

She said: “After a career spanning broadcasting, production and consulting with indie clients in the UK and internationally, I’m thrilled to be joining the distribution side of the business at BossaNova.

“[CEO and founder] Paul [Heaney] and the team are known for their innovative approach to financing and deal-making. I can’t wait to see what we achieve together.”

Also at BossaNova, Ioana Hopper has been appointed to the newly created role of acquisitions manager, reporting to Johnson.

Previously she worked as part of the acquisitions team at DCD Rights, discovering and developing projects such as Sue Perkins’ Big Adventure, Bill Bailey’s Vietnam Adventure and the upcoming Prue & Sandi’s South African Adventure.

Prior to that, Hopper spent five years at production giant Fremantle as a drama executive, working across development and acquisitions for the company’s scripted slate.

Hopper said: “I’m excited to be joining BossaNova at a time when innovative distributors are more important than ever in the content ecosystem.”

As part of the acquisitions division reshuffle, Lyra Semsedini has been elevated to acquisitions and materials co-ordinator.

Heaney said: “As a team we are all totally gutted at ‘Runners’ leaving, but we wish her very well and hope to work together again.”

“Iona and Francesca are two people at the forefront of all these changes and we know they’re not coming in for business as usual. Both have very different, complimentary skills and certainly wouldn’t be agreeing to join the brilliant BossaNova team if they didn’t see the huge gap of opportunity on offer for a resourced unscripted distributor in today’s market.”