International expansion for Nat Geo commercial arm

National Geographic has created an international arm of its commercial operation, Nat Geo Ventures, and, TBIvision understands, will soon announce the hire of a new London-based executive to spearhead business development at the new unit.

Nat Geo Ventures International will be headed by president Maurice van Sabben, reporting to Washington-based NGV COO Edward Prince. Van Sabben will run it alongside Nat Geo distribution arm NGTI for which he is already responsible.

NGVI will coordinate Nat Geo’s growing gaming, digital, mobile and home entertainment activity outside the US. It will work closely with NGTI to identify opportunities in the areas above. NGV has done some business internationally, but being based in the US its focus has been domestic and Nat Geo is keen to ramp up commercial activity around the world.

“National Geographic’s international business has diversified significantly, from localised websites in Japan and Italy to wide distribution points for home entertainment and the creation of mobile apps and digital editions of National Geographic magazine,” said Prince. “The creation of NGVI is a new opportunity to maximise our potential in every market.”