Ex-CableReady, CMJ exec joins Flame in rejig

Former CableReady exec Lou Occhione has joined Australia-based Flame Distribution as its VP, content sales for North America.

Occhione is a well-known face in international TV circles, having been senior VP, operations at the now-defunct CableReady and, more recently, COO of Canadian vendor CMJ Distribution.

His hire is part of an reorganisation at Flame created to target expansion, with the firm’s UK and Europe VP Phil Barnsdall-Thompson now also serving North America.

“Not only does Lou bring with him a significant track record in the industry, his addition to the team cements Flame’s place as a truly global distribution business with sales offices in Sydney, Singapore, Greece, London and now the USA,” said Fiona Gilroy, Flame’s content sales and acquisitions director.

Occhione has recently brokered deals including a multi-series deal coproduction deal between Buck Productions and US cable channel Reelz.

Flame currently shops around 3,000 hours of programming, including the 6x46mins Bahama Blue. It has recently closed deals with the likes of Discovery Networks and CuriosityStream.

In March, it appointed Elslyn Lua to become VP, content sales in Asia.