NBCU raids FremantleMedia for commercial exec

NBCUniversal has hired Dominic Burns as its new senior VP, brand management and commercial.

He joins from the UK arm of FremantleMedia where he was commercial director, overseeing rights and digital production. Prior to that he was senior VP, licensing and entertainment, EMEA, at the RTL-owned producer and distributor.

At NBCU, Burns will develop brand extensions based on the studio’s international finished programmes and formats working across live events, publishing, consumer products, sponsorship and digital platforms.

He starts in his new role in March and will report to Sarah Cooper, COO, NBCU International Television Production.

Cooper said: “Dominic’s extensive experience in building licensing, digital and advertising strategies for some of television’s top franchises will help us maximise value for each programme in a completely integrated, 360 degree manner alongside their successful linear, new media and home entertainment exploitation.”

NBCU has been staffing up in recent weeks, adding new channel, marketing and production executives. The international division is helmed by Kevin Maclellan.