StudioCanal recruits ITV, BBC sales veteran

StudioCanal has hired Louisa Bayles as its head of sales for Australasia.

The new recruit joins from ITV Studios and prior to that was at BBC Worldwide for 15 years.

At StudioCanal she will oversee programme sales, digital and DVD across Australia and New Zealand.

The company said it is targeting growth in the region, having set up regionally four years ago with the acquisition of film business Hoyts Distribution.

She will report to Elizabeth Trotman, the StudioCanal Australia and New Zealand boss, who said: “The appointment of Louisa Bayles as our head of TV and digital sales is reflective of the growth in our television arm with recent successful TV series such as Midnight Sun.

“Louisa’s depth of experience across not just traditional media but all digital platforms will be instrumental in expanding our distribution reach for our broad range of film and television content. I’m thrilled she is joining our team.”

Bayles started her career in sales at BBC Worldwide in London, before moving to Australia. In all she spent 15 years at the BBC.

Katrina Neylon, StudioCanal’s executive VP, international sales and marketing, who said: “Louisa will take our sales efforts to the next level in Australia and New Zealand. With its unique dynamic and appetite for high-quality European content, the region is strategically important for StudioCanal’s growth.”

Vivendi-owned StudioCanal distributes series and movies. TV prodcos in the group include Red Production Company (Happy Valley) and Tandem Productions (Spotless). At MIPTV it will have a new Scandi thriller, Below the Surface.