BBCWW completes Miami sales team with TVF hire

Jessica Bennetts has left her role as head of sales for UK-based distributor TVF International and joined BBC Worldwide’s Miami sales office, TBI has learned.

She has been named BBCWW’s content sales manager, reporting to VP, integrated sales Alejandra Olea, and be responsible for format, finished tape and affiliate distribution.

Her appointment rounds out BBCWW’s Miami sales office, which services Latin America and Hispanic US channels under Olea’s lead, a BBCWW spokeswoman told TBI. Already in place are director, TV sales Manuel Miguez, who joined recently from Sony Pictures Television’s Latin American distribution business; and director, format sales Janel Downing.

The BBC’s commercial arm established the Miami base with Fred Medina named executive VP and managing director of BBCWW Latin America/US Hispanic as part of a regional restructuring BBCWW president, global markets Paul Dempsey initiated.

“With Jess coming on board, our sales team is now in full gear,” the spokeswoman added.

Bennetts has been with documentary and factual specialist TVF since 2008, initially joining as a sales assistant before moving up the ranks and replacing Leila Monks as sales chief in January 2012.

She moved to Miami last year, in a move that was at one point thought to be a precursor to a TVF US office launch. A source said TVF is yet to find a replacement to focus on North American sales and is currently assessing options.

TVF is part of the TVF Media group, which is based in London and operates in television, digital and multiplatform.