A+E hires three for distribution team

Channel operator and distributor A+E Networks has hired a trio of execs for its London-based content team. Robyn Hurd, Michael Oesterlin and Lorenzo Bertolotti have all joined the company in senior programme sales roles.

The hires come as Jo Lovell and Mario Cerna leave A+E.

TBI understands that Lovell has joined fast-expanding Scripps Networks Interactive, which has just taken distribution in-house, director of international programme sales.

Cerna has joined ITV Studios,  covering Southeast EMEA and reporting to Jennifer Ebell.

Hurd will replace Lovell and as senior director, content sales, will be responsible for programme sales across the UK, Ireland, Benelux, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

She will report Denis Cantin, vice president, head of content sales and joins A+E from Drive Television, the UK production and financing consultancy run by Lilla Hurst and Ben Barrett. She has also worked at Target and Endemol.

Oesterlin (pictured) has been consulting for A+E for a year and is now senior director, sales activity in German-Speaking Europe, Nordics, Turkey, the Middle East, Israel, Greece, Portugal, Africa, French-speaking Belgium and Switzerland. Before working for A+E he was in distribution roles at Tele München, Sonar and Warner Bros.

Bertolotti will report to Oesterlin and as manager, content sales, will cover Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Israel, Greece, Portugal, French-speaking Belgium and Switzerland. He joins from Passion Distribution and prior to that was at eOne.

“Robyn, Michael and Lorenzo bring a wealth of sales experience across many genres, including scripted which is particularly crucial to our business. By strengthening our team through these appointments, we are well positioned to expand our sales operations globally,” said Cantin.