YLE sales chief Maria Kivinen exits after decade to form Nordic distributor and financer

Maria Kivinen, sales manager at YLE, is leaving the Finnish public broadcaster after 12 years to launch her own TV and film distribution and international financing company.

Maria Kivinen

Norse Key Studios will specialise in international sales of unscripted formats and documentaries, kids and youth programmes, drama and comedy series, feature films, and music and performing arts IP.

The company’s initial slate of content includes hit reality format Influencer Apprentice from Podzilla Studios, which aired on YLE, and a slate of content from YLE’s FVoD platform Areena.

Norse Key Studios will also represent a slate of Finnish nature and wildlife docs including projects by Finnish production company DokArt Ky, and kids content including Kompani ORD from NRK’s B15.

The company has also picked up the rights to music documentary The Sound of Tine Thing Helseth from NRK Norway.

Norse Key Studios will also executive produce series and film projects that require international financing through pre-sales and coproduction.

Kivinen, CEO of Norse Key, says: “Our mission is to bring distinctive Nordic and international stories to a global audience, from gripping drama series and feature films, bold new formats to powerful documentaries and inspiring music and arts projects. There is so much creative energy in our region, and I look forward to collaborating with producers, broadcasters and partners worldwide to unlock new opportunities.”