BBC Worldwide re-jigs senior team for Australia, New Zealand

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC?s commercial arm BBC Worldwide MD Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Jon Penn has made some strategic changes to key roles in his senior team, to prepare the company for growth in the territory.

Deirdre Brennan is to become the director of content, taking responsibility for content management and development in the region. In this new role, she will oversee format production, drama investment and the editorial delivery of the ANZ channels.

Blair McQuade, who until recently was BBC Worldwide ANZ acting GM, has taken on the new role of chief commercial officer (CCO). As CCO, McQuade will oversee strategy and corporate development, finance and operations. McQuade?s role will also manage the TV Sales business distributing programming to FTA, STV and digital platforms.

Irene Read has been promoted to head of sales, leading the team that licenses all TV programming and news in Australia and New Zealand on a daily basis, reporting to McQuade in this role. Read joined BBC Worldwide in 2011 and has successfully overseen sales in the Australian region to date.

Rob Leach will become digital and business development director with an expanded remit overseeing commercial digital, brand licensing and new business lines. He has recently taken on responsibility for the licensing of BBC Worldwide?s brands in Australia and New Zealand, notably live events, consumer products and DVDs. He is also responsible for BBC World News and the relationship with MCN.

Completing the executive leadership team for BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand are: Melissa Madden, director of brands and marketing, leading the company?s marketing department and creative services team. Fiona Lang, head of business and legal affairs, overseeing all legal, contractual, regulatory and compliance activity.

Penn said, "As BBC Worldwide looks to grow its business outside the UK, placing more autonomy in this territory?s hands, there is a fantastic opportunity for growth. I am confident that I have put the best team and structure in place to deliver this growth in the areas that have the most potential - content, brands and digital - with a strong strategic and visionary team behind it."