Sonar makes raft of distribution hires

Sonar Entertainment has expanded its distribution team, adding new execs from Sky Vision, Televisa and Lionsgate.

Carol Eymery and Roberta Ibba-Hartog have joined the US producer and distributor from Lionsgate UK; Kylie Munnich has come over from Sky Vision; and Andres Santos from Televisa.

Sonar said it is making an aggressive push in content sales, with David Ellender heading up its distribution efforts.

In addition to the new hires, the company said it will open a new Singapore office next year, adding to its existing international bases in London, Munich, Miami and Sydney.

Carol Eymery, who was at HBO prior to Lionsgate and also worked with David Ellender at Slingshot, becomes the London-based executive VP, international distribution, EMEA, in the newly expanded team.

Munnich, who joined Sky Vision from Sony Pictures in late 2014, becomes senior VP, international distribution, Australasia, working out of the Sydney office. Sky would not say whether she will be replace as director of drama and comedy at its distribution arm.

Andres Santos, who joins from Televisa and has also worked at RCN and Dori Media, will cover Lat-Am as Sonar’s Miami-based VP, while Roberta Ibba-Hartog becomes SVP, covering Europe, Middle East and Africa out of London.

The new recruits will work alongside existing EMEA sales VP Patrick Phelan, and coordinator, Louise Oliver.

David Ellender – the former international boss at FremantleMedia and founder of US-based indie Slingshot – joined Sonar as president, global distribution and coproductions, earlier this year.

He said: “This is a dynamic sales team with a sophisticated ability to leverage both traditional and emerging platforms and rights.

“Beyond that, these outstanding professionals are also our eyes and ears on the ground as we seek out strategic alliances and look to build local collaborations with producers and networks in all global territories.”

Sonar’s MIPCOM slate includes upcoming Tom Hardy and Ridley Scott’s FX and BBC drama Taboo; AMC’s Pierce Brosnan project The Son; and MTV’s fantasy series The Shannara Chronicles. The company launched as Sonar in 2012, having previously operated as RHI.