StudioCanal hires Le Prado

European producer and distributor StudioCanal has appointed a former Direct 8 and Havas Group exec to work across its sales activities.

Yann Le Prado

Yann Le Prado has been named head of catalogue sales at StudioCanal and joins just a month after Anna Marsh’s appointment as exec VP of distribution at the company.

Marsh’s promotion from head of international sales followed the exit of StudioCanal president of international distribution and marketing Rodolphe Buet.

Le Prado now oversees StudioCanal’s catalogue arm, while the cinema and TV production unit is under the responsibility of president Didier Lupfer.

He worked for distribution companies Timing and Europe Images International (fka Lagardère Group) before joining Direct 8 as head of acquisitions.

In 2010 Le Prado became director of acquisitions of Direct 8 and Direct Star (CStar), then joined the Havas Group as CEO of its Havas Productions arm in 2013.

Last month StudioCanal appointed former ITV Studios and BBC Worldwide exec Louisa Bayles to head its TV and digital sales in Australia and New Zealand.

Alongside Franco-Swedish drama Midnight Sun, StudioCanal distributes series such as The Five, made by its UK prodco Red Production Company, and French political drama Baron Noir.

It also owns Munich-based company Tandem Productions, whose founder and CEO Rola Bauer oversees StudioCanal’s US operations.