Fox poaches Warner exec for formats push

Fox International Channels Content Sales has hired long-serving Warner Bros. sales executive Jess Khanom to oversee a major push into format sales, TBI has learned.

Khanom will be FICCS’s head of global format sales, effective immediately, reporting to senior VP and global head of content sales Prentiss Fraser and working out of London.

Khanom will oversee a slate of formats that currently include originally-developed trio Lucky Ladies, School for Husbands and F***ing Telemarketers (pictured), and Nat Geo formats including Brain Games, Street Genius, Car S.O.S. FICCS also sells telenovela, entertainment and scripted formats.

At Fox rival Warner Bros., she was most recently sales director, TV productions for London-based Warner Bros. International Television Production.

“Jess couldn’t be more perfect to grow our formats business and develop our global franchises,” said Fraser. “Her vast experience, drive and passion will propel the company forward and we are absolutely thrilled to have her international format expertise as part of our expanding team.”

Khanom first worked for Warner Bros. in 2001, but later left to join Shed Media’s distribution arm, Outright Distribution, as VP, sales. Warner Bros. acquired Shed in 2010, bringing Outright into the fold as part of Warner Bros. International Television Production.

Khanom has most recently been overseeing format sales of shows including The Bachelor, Gossip Girl and ER into central and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, South Africa and Russia.

“FIC is a forward-thinking studio with a dynamic catalogue,” said Khanom. “Its international programming output is vast and cutting-edge and covers every genre required to fulfil a broadcaster’s need. I look forward to using my knowledge and expertise in the format business to grow the division and exploit the exciting IP that FIC has to offer.”

FICCS launched last year as 21^st Century Fox-owned FIC brought its various sales unit together under on roof, with Thomas at the helm.

FIC has pushed heavily into unscripted programming production in recent years under the stewardship of executive VP, unscripted entertainment Christian Barcellos.

As TBI went to press, Warner Bros. had not responded to a request for comment on Khanom’s replacement.