Newen Connect lands Rainmaker’s SVP of sales & co-productions Karen Wise

Karen Wise (Source: Newen)

TF1 Group-owned Newen Connect has hired Rainmaker’s SVP of worldwide sales & co-productions Karen Wise to oversee its operations in North America and the UK.

Wise becomes SVP of distribution, North America, UK and formats, and is charged with expanding the distributor’s presence in the English-speaking market by identifying co-production and sales opportunities. She reports into Newen Connect’s chief commercial officer, Leona Connell.

She will also oversee scripted and unscripted format sales for Newen Connect, working with Andrew Sime, who will continue to drive unscripted formats.

Wise, who has previously held roles including head of EMEA sales at Sky Vision and head of sales at Target Entertainment, joined Rainmaker in 2020 and was most recently responsible for leading sales and co-production opportunities for the company.

Connell said Wise’s appointment “is important to the growth of our business as we expand the interest in our extensive cross-genre catalogue into English-language markets, drive our format slate, particularly in scripted, and seek to support our producers in seeking funding opportunities in North America and the UK.”

Wise added: “Newen Connect is an exciting company, which has shown significant growth and ambition in just a short period of time. With some strong new projects on the horizon there will be plenty of opportunities to strengthen the company’s presence in North America and the UK.”