BBC Studios brings international sales and distribution businesses together

BBC Studios has brought its international sales and distribution business, encompassing content sales, branded services and ancillaries, together into a single global distribution group with Paul Dempsey taking the role of president, global distribution.

Paul Dempsey

Dempsey joined BBC Worldwide in 1998 and has held a number of senior positions including interim CEO, managing director, consumer products and director audio and music.

He will relocate to New York and have responsibility for BBC Studios’ overall sales and distribution strategy, key customer management and the company’s international channels and services.

Under the new structure BBC Studios’ successor to Ann Sarnoff as president of Americas, currently being recruited, will join the managing director of Australia and New Zealand, and the EVPs of Asia, Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa in reporting to Dempsey.

The regional leads will continue to have accountability for their respective regions, with Dempsey assuming overall accountability for the strategy for the expanded operation.

Tim Davie, CEO, BBC Studios said: “Bringing together our international regions, while maintaining a strong regional focus, continues the evolution of our global distribution business and particularly the way we serve major customers. We are fortunate to have someone of Paul’s immense experience to take this important role.”

Dempsey said: “Having visibility across all our customer relationships and international distribution activity will make us more joined up and effective both globally and regionally.”