MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has announced the opening of a production office in Paris, France.
The local production base will build up BBC Worldwide formats in this key territory and is part of the company’s wider strategy to establish a network of production offices throughout the world.
BBC Worldwide Productions France will be headed by Jean-Louis Blot, who will be working with all of the local terrestrial networks to grow the company's French production business.
As director of the new production office, Jean-Louis will report to BBC Worldwide Content and Production director of international formats Colin Jarvis and will be supported by Cécile Lamarque, who joins as development executive and will oversee production.
Jarvis said, "France is a key market for us. Establishing a thriving production base in this major European territory fits into our strategy to position BBC Worldwide as a leading global content network.
"Through the success of our Sales & Distribution office, BBC Worldwide enjoys a strong relationship with all of the major broadcasters in France and we look forward to extending this to local production.
"I'm pleased to welcome Jean-Louis onboard, he has the background and experience to develop our production office into a prominent player in the French market.
BBC Worldwide Productions France director Jean-Louis Blot says, "I'm very excited to be part of BBC Worldwide's production plans in France as they have one of the richest catalogues in the world. My first priority will be to establish a production team."
BBC Worldwide Productions France will work alongside BBC Worldwide's sales and distribution team in France, managed by Tim Muff, which continues to oversee all of the company's programme distribution, publishing and licensing activity in France.
BBC Worldwide has a history of licensing British formats in France, including The Weakest Link, Top of the Pops, Great French and The Office.
The Paris production office is BBC Worldwide's latest in a growing network of production bases, the others being in Los Angeles, New York, Mumbai, Toronto and Sydney.
Blot joins BBC Worldwide Productions France from Air Productions, where he was Head of Development as well as a producer.
At Air Productions, he produced two of France's most popular game shows: Don't Forget the Lyrics and Tout le Monde veut prendre sa Place. Lamarque joins BBC Worldwide France Productions from Fremantlemedia where she worked on the launch and development of series such as Jamie's Kitchen, Supernanny, How Clean is Your House? and The Farmer Wants A Wife.
