RHI brings Tandem sales chief onboard

US miniseries specialist RHI Entertainment has hired the international sales director of Germany’s Tandem Communications to become its own senior VP of international sales.

Bernhard Schwab join RHI after seven years with Tandem – another miniseries and TV movies proponent that counts Pillars of the Earth among its recent credits – and will oversee territories including Germany, Scandinavia, Benelux, Greece, Turkey, Israel and Africa.

Schwab, who was promoted to Tandem international sales chief in 2007, will remain Munich-based and will also be responsible for the UK and Ireland, jointly with senior VP John Alexander.

Prior to Tandem, Schwab held positions at G.A.T. Film & Fernsehproduktion, HaffaDiebold Film & TV Produktion and EM.TV & Merchandising.

His appointment comes as in the wake of management changes made last month after RHI president and CEO Robert Halmi Jr stepped down.

Former MGM exec Mike Corrigan, Lorimar Telepictures co-founder David Salzman and former Polygram International boss Stewart Till jointly took over CEO duties on a temporary basis till a permanent replacement is found.

Till said today: “Bernie’s experience and record of success speaks for itself. He further enhances an already strong department and will be a tremendous asset as we expand our European sales and distribution network efforts.”