Rainmaker names Sky Vision alum Karen Wise as head of sales

Karen Wise

Rainmaker Content has appointed former Sky Vision exec Karen Wise as head of sales.

In her new role, Wise will be responsible for worldwide international sales and providing strategic insight into high quality content development and acquisition.

Wise joined Sky Vision, the international distribution arm of UK broadcaster Sky, in 2012 and went on to lead the EMEA sales team across all genres and broadcast platforms, handling premium series including Catherine The Great, Patrick Melrose and Fortitude.

Prior to Sky, she held positions at Target Entertainment, Minotaur International, AETN UK and Carlton International. 

Rainmaker has also appointed Singapore-based Caroline Clarke as its sales consultant for Asia, Middle East & Africa, reporting to Wise. She also joins from Sky Vision, where she handled international sales to Asia.

Clarke has more than 25 years of experience in sales and business development in the media and entertainment industry, having worked for companies such as Sky, CBS, ITN and Paramount.

The company has additionally appointed Colin Kiely as director of operations and digital distribution. Kiely is the former director of digital operations at the now defunct Kew Media.

Drama, factual and special event-focused sales outfit Rainmaker was launched in June by former Kew Media Distribution execs Greg Phillips and Graham Begg, quickly securing global rights outside of the UK to lockdown comedy Staged, with Kew alum Vicky Ryan confirmed as COO soon after.

It also recently closed its first collaboration with independent German content house Leonine for the worldwide distribution of 10-part  action series Professionals, which was launched at MIPCOM 2020.

“We are delighted Karen is joining us at this exciting time as we continue to build our business and expand our portfolio of high-end programming,” said Phillips.

“We have hired an experienced sales head to take the helm. Karen has a great deal of expertise across multiple genres, coupled with exceptional relationships with many clients around the world including North America.  In addition, we are pleased to welcome Caroline in Singapore to develop and extend our presence in Asia including Japan, the Middle East and Africa.”