Scripps expands distribution operation

Scripps Networks Interactive has hired Gerbrig Blanksma from Off the Fence and upped Elise Ching within its programme sales division.

Blanksma will cover sales across the EMEA region and Ching (left) will be responsible for Asia.

Scripps took sales in-house in 2014 – they had been with Passion – with distribution run by Hud Woodle, vice president, programme licensing, international.

London-based Blanksma and Singapore-based Ching will both report to New York-based Woodle (right), who said the expansion will allow SNI to reach new parts of the world.

“Elise and Gerbrig bring extensive industry experience and key relationships with regional partners which will be integral as we introduce our content and brands in untapped territories,” he said.

Blanksma joins Scripps at the end of the month. At Off the Fence she was vice president of sales and business development selling the factual company’s programming across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Benelux and Scandinavia.

Ching has been upped to programme acquisitions director. She joined Scripps in 2013 when working at the Asian Food Channel, which the channel operator acquired. Prior to that she was at free TV broadcaster Seven in Australia and Sony Pictures Television Asia.