ITV hires Shine exec for Life

Ruth Clarke

UK distributor ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVSGE) has brought in a Shine International executive to head its acquisitions and coproductions strategy.

Ruth Clarke has been appointed director of acquisitions and coproductions at ITVSGE, where she will be responsible for building the company’s international growth through partnerships with sister production company ITV Studios and other worldwide producers.

She will report to Maria Kyriacou, MD of ITVSGE, and replaces Richard Life, who stepped down at the end of last year.

At Shine International, Clarke was senior VP and head of EMEA, leading the distributor’s finished programme sales in EMEA and worked with producers to create new opportunities for formats in the region.

She was also previously head of branded services, digital media distribution in EMEA at The Walt Disney Company; sales director, new media distribution EMEA at Disney ABC ESPN Television; and business development manager EMEA for Warner Bros International Television Distribution.

Kyriacou said: “Identifying coproduction opportunities and securing world-class programming are core aspects of our strategy. Ruth’s vast experience in the international content business and expertise in maximising value for producers will prove invaluable as we continue to grow the business.”