Ex-HBO Lat Am execs joins Canal+ Hispanic net

Former HBO Latin America Luis Fonseca has joined Canal+’s US Hispanic channel operator Thema America.

Fonseca has been named US sales director, meaning he will look at “cultivating and expanding Thema America’s existing portfolio of Hispanic content and securing new growth opportunities” for the pay network’s roster of third-party Lat Am channels.

Thema America, part of French pay TV operator Canal+, distributes multicultural content and services to US and Lat Am pay TV operators.

It distributes channels such Latin American Sports, Canal 22 and Canal Once from Mexico, Telemicro Internacional and Mezzo Live HD to the likes of DirecTV, Xfinity, AT&T U-verse and RCN.

He has been with HBO Latin America since 1995, most recently as director of affiliate sales and marketing.

“Luis brings a highly sought-after combination of extensive pay TV experience and the well-earned respect of industry colleagues,” said Thema America CEO Patrick Rivet.

“He has demonstrated an innate talent for identifying exciting new business opportunities, which will be most beneficial for Thema America’s Latin American clients looking to expand their brands in the competitive US marketplace.”