Argonon hires NBCU exec after int’l MD exit

Argonon International has hired NBCUniversal’s Cecilie Olsen as senior VP for sales and acquisitions after its managing director, Jess Khanom, departed earlier in the year.

Olsen (pictured right) will report to Argonon Group COO Laura Bessell-Martin.

Khanom (pictured below), who was appointed managing director of Argonon International in September 2016 as TBI revealed at the time, departed the company earlier in the year, according to an Argonon spokesperson.

The new SVP will is based in London and be responsible for driving distribution and format sales for the business as it looks to gain global reach.

She joins from NBCU International Studios, where she was director of formats and production, covering Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Russia, CIS, Germany and Africa.

Olsen was also VP of sales at Twofour, helping to launch a division that is now part of UK broadcaster ITV.

The appointment comes as Argonon increases its investment in original content, third party productions and acquisitions worldwide. As part of expansion plans, Olsen has hired Paul Glynn from Guinness World Records as senior sales executive, and will also look to hire a head of acquisitions.

Bessell-Martin said: “With Cecilie’s track record of launching sales divisions, securing landmark deals and a clear passion for what she does, along with the current expansion of the sales team, Argonon International is poised to maximise on all our content globally.”

Argonon has also announced that it has sold sci-fi family title Eve to South Korea’s KBS and Sweden’s SVT.

“SVT has always been at the forefront of creating fantastic drama, and the sale into Korea is a landmark deal as this is a rare acquisition of international live action teen drama for EBS,” said Olsen.