Steve Macallister leaves All3Media

All3Media’s International CEO Steve Macallister has left the company, TBI has learned.

Macallister is a well-known figure in the international TV industry, having previously run Zodiak Rights and BBC Worldwide’s programme sales, as well as holding senior roles at Disney’s distribution arm.

International industry sources confirmed the news and Macallister is understood to have left All3 at the end of last week.

As CEO of All3Media International he was required to work with the numerous prodcos in the All3 stable. His abrupt exit had not been mooted.

The company told TBI that executive VP, commercial development, Gary Woolf and CFO/COO John Wagener will assume charge in the wake of Macallister’s departure. A  full time replacement is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Jane Turton, All3Media’s CEO, offically confirmed the All3 International chief’s exit to TBI. “Steve Macallister has left All3Media, we’d like to thank him for his work and wish him all the best for the future,” she said.

Macallister replaced Louise Pedersen at All3Media International early last year after her departure for Colin Callender’s prodco Playground, and has restructured All3’s sales operation, overseeing the company’s expanded presence in the US, and the soon to open Asian office.

Sally Habbershaw joined All3 from A+E to run the new New York office, reporting directly to Macallister. The new Asian base will open before the end of the year.

Other notable hires during Macallister’s time in charge include that of former BBC Worldwide and Zodiak colleague Gary Woolf. Several sales execs have also left the company since Macallister took over, including senior VP Liza Thompson, who has gone on to join Warner Bros. International Television.

Macallister started at All3 in March 2015. Prior to that he served a one-year tenure as CEO of Zodiak Rights, which latterly became part of the Banijay Group.

Before Zodiak he was president and MD of BBC Worldwide’s sales and distribution unit, and that came after a 14-year stint at Disney in which he held various regional roles.

All3Media is now owned by Discovery Communications and Liberty Global, both of which have 50% stakes. Its sales arm distributes shows including Midsomer Murders and Gogglebox.