Macallister to replace Pedersen at All3 Int’l

Sales veteran Steve Macallister is taking on the CEO job at All3Media International.

The former Zodiak Rights and BBC Worldwide sales chief (pictured) will take up the post on March 1 after current incumbent Louise Pedersen (below) moves to Playground Entertainment.

Macallister left his role as chief executive of Zodiak Media’s sales division unexpectedly in November last year after less than a year in the role. Tim Mutimer replaced him.

Coincidentally, it is nearly a year to the day his Zodiak position was announced.

Before then, Macallister had spent six years as managing director, sales and distribution at the BBC’s commercial arm, BBCWW, and before that 14 years at The Walt Disney Company, eventually departing as senior VP and MD of Buena Vista International Television Asia Pacific in 2007.

“I am delighted to welcome Steve to All3Media,” said All3 MD Jane Turton. “Steve’s record as an expert in the field of distribution and the broader exploitation of IP speaks for itself and he arrives at a time when our international business is going from strength to strength.

“He inherits a very strong team and a market leading catalogue and I am confident that under Steve’s leadership All3Media International is set to see rapid and continued growth.”

“I’m really looking forward to working with Jane and the team at All3Media in what promises to be an exciting new chapter for the company,” added Macallister. “The international business is an impressive operation and the creative prowess of the All3Media group second to none.”

Pedersen’s departure came after the exit of Turton’s predecessor, Farah Ramzan-Golant. The latter had successful sold the business to Discovery Communications and Liberty Global after a number of previous failed attempts.

Pedersen joins former HBO Films boss Colin Callender at his US-based Playground imprint as MD of Playground Television. She will seek to create UK division that will produce high-end drama.