BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution today announced the appointment of Claudia Danser to the new role of Head of Formats Licensing EMEA.

 

The new post comes as BBC Worldwide looks to significantly bolster its formats catalogue through its relationships with both the BBC and independent producers, as well as through its growing network of production bases.

 

Danser will be responsible for all format licensing across Europe, Middle East and Africa (except France and Germany where there are local offices present).

 

She will form a specialist format sales team, including Format Sales Executive Alec La-Ronde, and work closely with each territory sales team to build new business in this area.

 

Danser will also work closely with BBC Worldwide's formats development team, led by Director of International Formats Colin Jarvis, to maximise licensing potential from the outset of the development process.

 

Announcing the appointment, BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution MD Steve Macallister, said: "Our formats catalogue is set to expand significantly and pack a much greater punch as our Content & Production business builds new development alliances both in the UK and around the world.

 

"Claudia has a formidable track record in sales of programme, format and publishing rights across a range of territories and I look forward her taking our formats licensing to new heights."

 

Claudia Danser added: "It's a very exciting time to lead our format licensing business in EMEA and I'm really looking forward to building up our activity here. Our catalogue has never had so much potential and there is a lot of development in the pipeline, both scripted and non-scripted."

 

Danser is currently BBC Worldwide's Head of Iberia, responsible for all programme, format and publishing sales in Spain and Portugal, and previously led BBC Worldwide sales in Benelux and Scandinavia.

 

Prior to BBC Worldwide, Danser licensed formats in Latin America, including Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? for ECM.

 

Recent format deals secured by Danser at BBC Worldwide include Life on Mars (Antena3), People's Quiz (Cuatro), Great Spanish (TVE) and Great Portuguese (RTP).

 

Danser will start in July and report into Sales & Distribution SVP EMEA, Tim Mutimer.