Gaumont hires sales veteran for London role

French studio Gaumont has hired former Cineflix Rights acquisitions chief Nikki Andrews as vice president, distribution.

In the newly-created role, Andrews will sell Gaumont’s kids content in North America and western Europe, and sell the wider Gaumont Television line-up of shows into the Benelux region.

Gaumont’s kids titles include Calimero (pictured) and Belle and Sebastian and its roster of grown-up shows Hannibal and Netflix series Narcos.

Her hire comes soon after Gaumont appointed Sonar Entertainment boss Gene Stein as CEO, replacing Katie O’Connell and overseeing a restructured business that now brings together LA’s Gaumont International Television, Paris-based prodcos Gaumont Television Europe and Gaumont Animation.

Andrews has been in sales and acquisitions for two decades, starting out at Kiwi pubcaster TVNZ.

She has been head of acquisitions for Cineflix Rights and managing director of kids producer/distributor BKN New Media. She also held sales roles at Sony Pictures and ITV Studios forerunner Carlton International.

Andrews joins from her own consultancy business, Hemisphere Distribution.

At Gaumont, she will be based in London and report to international distribution president Eric Pack, who said: “With the recent rebranding of Gaumont Television and all of the distribution now centralised into one division, the timing is ideal for adding Nikki to our team.

“Her experience of over two decades, her professionalism, and her keen knowledge of the industry make her the perfect fit for this new position.”