ABC Kids shakes up commissioning team as de Jong departs

ABC TV has hired Chris Rose from Hit Entertainment to run its animation department. The appointment is part of a wide-scale restructuring of the kids commissioning team following the resignation of head of commissioning and development Carla de Jong.

She leaves after four years at the Australian public broadcaster and is relocating to Toronto. In the wake of her departure, the broadcaster will split its commissioning team into live-action and animation divisions.

Rose will join from Hit , where he is VP, programming and development, to run the animation area. He starts in May.

“Chris will contribute greatly to the continued success of Australia’s animation industry and to ABC TV’s role as a leading broadcaster of animation for children,” said Tim Brooke-Hunt, controller of ABC Children’s.

Simon Hopkinson has been promoted and will run live-action commissioning and will oversee Thierry Bled who will commission factual and reality programming.

“Simon has contributed significantly to our success in these areas,” said Brooke-Hunt. Simon will also continue to represent ABC Children’s TV in our on-going co-production relationship with CCTV (China) Children’s Channel.”

Aaron Mulheron will remain the first point of contact for indie producers under the new structure as commissioning and development coordinator. Barbara Uecker will continue to oversee acquisitions.