BBC Studios has a new global distribution chief in place.
Sally Habbershaw is exiting Mediawan after less than a year to become President of Global Distribution at the BBC’s commercial arm.
Her London-based role will see her overseeing BBCS’s worldwide content sales business, reporting into Zai Bennett, BBC Studios Global Content CEO and Chief Creative Officer.
BBC Studios has been without a sales boss for most of the year, as the U.S.-based Janet Brown exited in January as part of a plan to move distribution closer to the mothership in the UK. Habbershaw takes up her “newly expanded” post on September 29.
“Sally is one of the most accomplished and respected executives in the business and her experience across content investment, distribution, platforms and production makes her uniquely positioned to lead our global content distribution operation,” said Bennett.
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“She brings a rare combination of commercial leadership, creative instincts and deep global market expertise, alongside an exceptional track record of building partnerships and delivering growth across some of the industry’s most successful content businesses. I look forward to working with her as we continue to maximise the value and reach of our outstanding content portfolio.”
Habbershaw was the subject of news this time last year in the run up to MIPCOM Cannes, when she replaced Valerie Vleeschhouwer at France’s Mediawan. She was named Chief Distribution Officer at the Adolescence producer.
Last year, Deadline revealed that Habbershaw was exiting her New York-based role as Americas sales chief at All3Media International to move back to the UK, though she subsequently joined Paris-based Mediawan.
Further back in her career, Habbershaw held senior roles at A&E Networks, AMC Networks, Viacom and several Paramount-owned businesses. She is also a BAFTA Board member and Deputy Chair of BAFTA North America.
“After twenty years in the US and, more recently, in France, coming home to do this work here matters to me,” said Habbershaw. “The content and the brand speak for themselves. What made the opportunity irresistible is the moment and the people.
“Zai has built a leadership team that is ambitious, thinks differently and is set on making a real impact. I’ve spent my career on the other side of the table from the BBC, so I arrive with a clear view of its strengths and of the work ahead.”
Habbershaw’s hire is the latest major development this year in an international TV market that has seen Habbershaw’s former company, All3Media, merge with Banijay. Fair to say it’s been a period of change for the sales business as a whole ahead of MIPCOM.
