The executive will lead BBC Studios’ global sales business, overseeing commercial strategy, content investment priorities and route-to-market planning across all genres and territories
BBC Studios has announced the appointment of Sally Habbershaw as President of Global Distribution, a newly expanded London-based role responsible for leading the company’s worldwide content sales business and driving the commercial performance, strategic direction and global exploitation of BBC Studios’ content portfolio.
Habbershaw will report to Zai Bennett, BBC Studios Global Content CEO and Chief Creative Officer.
With more than two decades of experience across content distribution, commercial strategy, platform management, acquisitions and production, Habbershaw joins BBC Studios from Mediawan, continuing a distinguished career that has spanned leadership roles at All3Media International, A&E Networks, AMC Networks, Viacom and Paramount-owned businesses. She also serves as a BAFTA Board member and Deputy Chair of BAFTA North America.
As President of Global Distribution, Habbershaw will lead BBC Studios’ global sales business, overseeing commercial strategy, content investment priorities and route-to-market planning across all genres and territories.
Working closely with the company’s Scripted, Unscripted, Global Productions, Kids & Family and Audio leadership teams, she will maximise the value of BBC Studios’ content investments, deepen relationships with broadcasters and streaming platforms, and drive new growth opportunities for the UK’s most awarded production company.
At Mediawan, she was Chief Distribution Officer. Prior to that, she spent almost a decade at All3Media International as EVP Americas, a role created to capitalise on the rapid expansion of All3Media’s portfolio of more than 45 production companies. At AMC Networks, she led acquisitions and programming strategies that included internationally recognised series such as Mad Men and Breaking Bad, helping establish them as defining properties for audiences around the world.
Zai Bennett, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, BBC Studios Global Content, says: “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. 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.”
Sally Habbershaw added: “I’m thrilled to be joining BBC Studios. After twenty years in the US and, more recently, in France, coming home to do this work here matters to me. 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. I can’t wait to get started.”
Habbershaw joins BBC Studios on September 29th.
