Gaumont hires MarVista sales chief

Narcos producer Gaumont Television has hired MarVista Entertainment’s long-serving sales chief, Vanessa Shapiro, as president of worldwide distribution.

Shapiro (pictured) will split her time between LA and Paris, and report to Gaumont vice CEO Christophe Riandee.

She will also work closely with Gaumont’s US president, Gene Stein; Gaumont Animation president Nicolas Atlan; and senor VP, France Isabelle DeGeorges.

London-based Eric Pack is president of international distribution and coproductions, but his previous reports – senior VP, European coproductions Elizabeth Dreyer; and VPs of international distribution Hana Zidek and Nicola Andrews – now report to the new recruit.

Gaumont had not clarified Pack’s role at press time, but the move appears to move distribution to the US.

Shapiro, meanwhile, is a seasoned international distribution exec. She has been executive VP, distribution at LA-based MarVista since 2007, and spent the previous ten years at Sony Pictures Television, where she rose to director, worldwide pay TV.

At Gaumont, she will be responsible for sales of the entire Gaumont catalogue, which includes Narcos and Hannibal; upcoming dramas Frozen Dead, Crosshair and Spy City; and kids titles such as Do, Re & Mi and Herself the Elf.

She will also work closely with the development team and spearhead coproductions, plus manage marketing.

“Given all of our recent activity on both the drama and animated fronts, coupled with the fact that Gene and Nicolas are both in Los Angeles, we decided to move our sales and distribution from London to Los Angeles,” said Riandee.

“Vanessa is the perfect hire for this position given her outstanding track record and 20-plus years of experience, her solid and longstanding relationships around the world, and her strong financial background.”