Entertainment One seeking trio of senior EMEA hires

Canada-based producer-distributor Entertainment One will significantly bolster its Europe-based international division with a trio of senior hires next year, TBI has learned.

eOne Television’s international president Peter Emerson is currently based in London putting together an EMEA unit but told TBI he is planning to return to North America once a new team is in place – potentially before the end of 2014.

“One of the big roles I need to fill ahead of me leaving is a head of EMEA for the sales group. We need somebody in the time zone making decisions,” he said.

A London-based formats boss will also be recruited, along with a European production chief – “a UK equivalent to [eOne Television’s executive VP, global productions] Carrie Stein”.

“I need a specialist who’s known and respected here. They need to really know the broadcasters from an original programming perspective. They need to know the production and coproduction communityn here and have the ability to connect with their counterparts in LA,” Emerson added of the latter role.

eOne is “three to four months” away from unveiling the hires, though Emerson disclosed he had identified targets for certain positions already.

The former Oasis International boss moved to the UK from LA in March last year to build out the firm’s existing London office with a focus on spending more of eOne’s US$300 million annual content investment on international coproductions.

He told TBI the division, once fully staffed, would look to annually produce a maximum of two series per year out of the UK and a further European coproduction with companies from territories such as France and Germany. eOne will also expand the scope of its activities in factual programming.

The company’s North American division is behind network series including Rookie Blue and distributes preschool hit Peppa Pig.