Viceland poaches BBC exec in trio of hires

As Viceland sets itself to launch in Europe, the Vice Media-owned channel has poached a BBC documentaries development chief as one of three new hires.

Dan Louw has joined the US-based firm as VP, development for Viceland UK, with Peep Show and Fresh Meat producer Debi Roach also joining as VP, TV production, EMEA. Cam Levin also joined as VP, brand, EMEA.

The hires come after Vice hired ex-Discovery Networks International exec Arjan Hoekstra to lead channel roll-out in Europe as general manager.

Plans for more than 20 launches are in the works, with the UK, Ireland and France confirmed for debuts this year.

Louw is a former head of development at BBC Documentaries, where he oversaw Louis Theroux’s films, The Met, Life and Death Row and Don’t Take My Baby.

Roach has worked in production for more than 20 years, with credits including Channel 4 comedies Peep Show and Fresh Meat and illusionist Derren Brown’s series and specials.

She will oversee production output for Viceland in the EMEA region, including a slate of new shows produced in the UK. Vice also has a production hub in Greece, following a deal with local broadcaster Antenna Group.

Levin is a former MTV International (now Viacom International Media Networks) and Sky UK exec, and at Vice will look after audience, platform and social growth strategy as well as creative billing.

The hires follow those of Nick Weidenfeld and Cristián Jofré, who in April became president of programming and creative director at Viceland and Viceland International, respectively.

“As we develop and grow Viceland into an international operation across the region, we are assembling a world class team based out of our London studio,” said Hoekstra.

“Debi, Cam and Dan all bring extremely diverse but rich experiences across their respective fields – what binds them, is an innate understanding of Vice’s brand and programming, which will ensure our production, development and activation teams are operating at the vanguard of creative excellence.”