Mediawan hires Robyn Hurd as senior VP of sales and coproductions in UK and Scandinavia
French production and distribution group Mediawan has appointed Robyn Hurd as senior VP of sales and coproductions in the UK and Scandinavia.
The appointment is part of the company’s restructured, territory-based distribution operation, which has been led since October last year by London-based Sally Habbershaw.
Hurd brings more than 20 years of experience in content sales, acquisitions and business development across EMEA.
Most recently, she was senior VP of content sales for EMEA at Fox Entertainment Global, covering the position on a temporary basis. She led direct sales of Fox’s multi-genre catalogue across the UK, Ireland, Italy and Iberia, while also building and leading the EMEA format business.
Prior to this, Hurd was VP of content sales for EMEA at A+E Networks, overseeing sales to the UK and Ireland and managing additional European territories. Earlier in her career, she held senior sales and coproduction roles at several international distributors.
Hurd’s appointment comes six months after Mediawan relocated the leadership of its global distribution activities to London and appointed Habbershaw as chief distribution officer, reporting to Elisabeth d’Arvieu, Mediawan’s Group chief content officer.
This new organisation will accelerate Mediawan’s global plans to expand its English-language content pipeline and strengthen international partnerships. As well as Hurd, the new exec sales team comprises: Benjamin Lepetit, head of acquisitions; Arianna Castoldi, head of documentary; Jérémie Charron, senior VP of French-speaking territories; Ulrich Lagriffoul, senior VP of Europe and MENA; Dan Selig, senior VP of Americas; and Glen Hansen, senior VP of APAC.
Mediawan’s distribution catalogue spans scripted series, feature films, unscripted, documentaries and animation, and includes titles such as Miraculous, Slow Horses, Adolescence and the globally adapted hit Call My Agent! (Dix pour cent).
The group produces more than 400 titles each year, brings together over 80 production labels across 13 countries, and manages a catalogue of more than 30,000 hours of programming.
Hurd said: “The new territorial organisation, led by Sally Habbershaw, offers significant opportunities to build on our international presence, deepen our partnerships in the UK and Scandinavia, and support new coproduction opportunities across both territories.”
Habbershaw added: “The welcome appointment of Robyn to oversee the UK, Scandinavia and coproductions completes the expertise of our senior leadership sales team. Looking ahead, we are significantly stepping up our investment in English-language drama and premium docuseries. Recent acquisitions including North Road, Plan B Europe, See-Saw Films and the LuckyChap partnership underscore that ambition, and will deliver significant creative and commercial potential.”
