Nordic World rejigs after ‘challenging period’

Nordic World has promoted Ann Christin Siljan and Paulina Eklund in a restructure that follows a tough period for the Scandinavian content distributor.

Previously director of sales and acquisitions, Siljan (pictured) will become VP of acquisitions, while former Absolutely Independent exec Eklund will remain in New York but now as VP of sales.

Both report to Nordic World CEO Espen Huseby, who said: “It goes without saying that both Ann Christin and Paulina are highly skilled and experienced commercial talents. But more importantly, they have the energy, enthusiasm and vision to help us move forward after a challenging few months.”

Nordic World has been through a difficult period in recent months, with company co-founder TV4 in Sweden backing out in December and Netherlands-based subsidiary Absolutely Independent going out of business in March.

In a statement issued to TBI today, TV4 director of content Åsa Sjöberg explained the channel’s exit, saying: “From a business perspective, the ownership issue was not the important thing for us, but the close co-operation with Nordic World. That continues through the multi-year co-operation and distribution agreement we have signed with the company.”

Sales chief Jan Salling, meanwhile, is exiting to launch his own firm, Missing Link Media, but will remain working with Nordic on a consultancy basis for the “foreseeable future”, a spokeswoman confirmed today. He will work with Siljan and Eklund during this period.

Huseby said the new structure marked “the beginning of a fresh chapter for Nordic World as it continues to transition from a regional distributor to an international player”.

“Backed by Jan Salling’s huge experience of the international market, I have every confidence that Nordic World’s new management team will take us to the next level.”

Nordic World was established ten years ago to create new sales opportunities for Nordic programming on the international market. TV2 is now the sole owner, though Norway’s NRK, MTV3 in Finland and TV2 in Denmark remain as strategic partners, and TV4 in Sweden remains tied through its distribution agreement.