FremantleMedia Int’l raids BBCWW, All3Media

FremantleMedia has created two new roles in its content sales division and further restructured the US part of the division.

Jennifer Barrett has been poached from BBC Worldwide and will take the newly-created position of senior VP, legal and business affairs at FremantleMedia International.

She will manage the legal and business affairs team and oversee the acquisition of rights for FremantleMedia’s in-house teams and those of third party producers. At Worldwide she was head of legal and business affairs, factual and daytime. Prior to that she was at Universal Pictures, Australia’s ABC and the UK Film Council.

Natalia Sterlikova (right) has joined FMI from All3Media International as director, sales, CEE, Russia and CIS. She will report to Maximilian Bolenius, senior VP, sales and distribution, German-speaking Europe, central and eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS region.

FMI boss Jens Richter (top left) instigated a restructure last year, promoting several London-based staff and implementing a more centralised structure.

In further changes at FMI, and as part of a plan to bolster the company’s acquisitions activity, scripted and non-scripted acquisitions activity in the US have been separated.

Sam Harowitz and Hayley Dickson become VP, scripted acquisitions and senior VP, head of non-scripted global acquisitions and development, respectively, under the new structure.

Harrowitz will work with FremantleMedia’s global drama team and third-party producers to bring in new projects for FMI to distribute. Dickson will do the same for non-scripted as well as overseeing the acquisition and development of non-scripted content globally.

London-based director of non-scripted Angela Neillis remains in her UK-focused role.

The new hires and restructure follow the recent hire of Amaç Erol Us (left) from Kanal D as sales director for the Middle East.

Richter said: “Today’s announcement will play a key role in furthering FMI’s new strategy. Broadening our capability in co-financing and coproducing sits at the heart of our plans, and Jennifer brings a fantastic combination of senior level expertise and fresh perspective and insight in this area.”

The FMI chief added: “Natalia and Amaç have both demonstrated strong track records in identifying and capitalising on sales opportunities in the increasingly important emerging markets, while a more strategically-focused remit for Hayley and Sam, combined with their passion and drive for acquisitions, will deliver a diverse and enhanced content catalogue.”

Elsewhere, FremantleMedia has given VP, commercial and business affairs Bart Jan Gorissen an expanded role, adding central and eastern European commercial director responsibilities to his current day-to-day tasks.