FremantleMedia poaches Warner Bros. sales exec

FremantleMedia International has hired Warner Bros. executive Al de Azpiazu to become its VP, sales and distribution for Western Europe.

Azpiazu (pictured) was Warner Bros. International Television Productions’ executive director, sales, but will now work on selling FMI’s 22,000-hour catalogue in France, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

He will report to FMI’s executive VP, sales and distribution, EMEA, Jamie Lynn, who said: “As FMI continues to grow its outstanding pipeline of drama and non-scripted programming, these European markets will continue to play a pivotal role. Al has a great track record and deep understanding of the region.”

Azpiazu joined Warner Bros. in 2010 as a sales development executive and was promoted twice to reach executive director level, primarily working out of London. He has also worked at Cadena SER, Televisió de Catalunya and Mediapro.

He becomes the second sales executive to exit WBITVP this year. In January, TBI revealed sales director, formats Jess Khanom had joined Fox Networks Group (then Fox International Channels Content Sales) as head of global format sales.

FMI, the sales arm of Got Talent owner FremantleMedia, sells programmes such as Family Feud, Deutschland 83, The IT Crowd and Dangermouse.