Turner poaches BBC Worldwide’s McDonough

Ian McDonough

Turner Broadcasting System has poached BBC Worldwide’s Ian McDonough to lead its new Northern Europe unit.

The hire comes as BBC WW’s Asian boss Joyce Yeung becomes executive VP, global content sales and Western Europe chief David Weiland replacing her as EVP, Asia.

McDonough was BBCWW’s EVP, CEMA (Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa) region, but will now become Turner’s senior VP and managing director, Northern Europe. The role hands him charge of broadcaster’s business across the UK and Nordics and Baltic regions.

Anthony Lukom in the UK and Bo Ostergaard in the Nordics and Baltics had been overseeing the territories after former incumbent Jaime Ondarza was upped to senior VP, Southern Europe and Africa to replace the long-serving Domingo Corral. Both execs are VP and general manager of their respective territories and will now report into McDonough, a Turner spokeswoman told DTVE’s sister title, TBI, this morning.

McDonough will be based in London and report into Turner Broadcasting’s EMEA president Giorgio Stock.

“I recognised in Ian a determination, energy and ambition which is an excellent match for Turner as we are well positioned for growth,” said Stock. “This combined with his considerable track record and passion for developing new business will be a tremendous asset. We have recently enjoyed some great ratings wins within the UK and Ian is extremely well placed to lead in a region that is experimenting with vast innovation and fast adapting user experiences, especially in the digital space.” Meanwhile, McDonough’s former employer BBCWW has upped Yeung to EVP. She will move to London and have overall responsibility for ensuring maximum revenue from the company’s content investment drive.

“The new role of EVP, global content sales will help further consolidate our position as the leading TV sales operator outside the US studios,” said BBCWW’s president, global markets Paul Dempsey. “To have enjoyed continuing success against a backdrop of company-wide transformation is immensely gratifying and this new position will help drive us on to the next level.”

Weiland, meanwhile, takes over her role as EVP, Asia, moving to the continent in the process.

A search is underway for his replacement with Joerg Bachmaier, EVP, international production, will take over in the interim before he moves back to the US in a new BBCWW role.

“Ian’s pioneering approach to CEMA has been integral to building a strong business across the region and we are very proud of what he has achieved,” added Dempsey of McDonough’s new role.