Newen Connect hires ITVS & BBCS alum for English-language acquisitions

HIP

TF1-owned French distributor Newen Connect has appointed former ITV Studios and BBC Studios exec Josephine Fontaine to head English-language acquisitions in the UK, North America and Australia.

Fontaine will serve as the primary contact for Newen Studios in-house UK producers and build new partnerships with other English-speaking producers. She is tasked with developing new TV shows and supporting financing concepts with UK commissioners and will report to Newen Connect’s EVP of acquisitions and international co-productions Karine Atlan.

Her appointment comes as part if an increasing focus on English-language markets by Newen Connect, and follows the hire of a former Mercury and BBC Studios exec Phil Sequeira to lead its sales operations across the UK and North America earlier this year.

Fontaine previously served as senior global content executive – scripted at ITV Studios, where she managed relationships with production companies such as Mammoth Screen, Cattleya and Tetra Media. Prior to that, she was account executive – Italy, scripted & kids, at BBC Studios.

Fontaine said: “I look forward to strengthening Newen Connect’s relationships with internal and third-party producers and to scouting impactful and entertaining stories for our buyers.”

Newen is behind titles including scripted series HIP, fact-based Vardy Vs Rooney and upcoming projects Limbo for ABC Australia and Blindspot for Channel 5 in the UK.