Kew Media nabs VIMN exec for US sales

Kew Media Distribution (KMD), part of Kew Media Group, has appointed Viacom International Media Networks’ (VIMN) Maria Ibarra as director of sales and distribution.

Based in Miami and reporting to Jennifer Askin, Kew’s VP of sales, Ibarra will manage sales of KMD’s multi-genre slate across Lat Am, the Caribbean, US Hispanic territories and Canada.

Ibarra spent ten years at VIMN, which she joined in 2008 after two years at Viacom as an in-house production manager.

During this time she managed sales across the Latin American territories, and, since 2015, was director of international programme sales, responsible for Latin America and Canada.

Jonathan Ford, EVP of sales at KMD, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Maria to the US-based sales team. Our primetime drama and event programming continues to be in demand throughout Latin America and Canada, and with the ongoing proliferation of platforms the opportunities for our wider programme catalogue are greater than ever.

“Maria’s extensive experience and contacts across these regions, as well as her expert knowledge of local market trends, will be invaluable as we seek to further develop this potential.”

Ibarra added: “I’m excited to take up this fantastic new opportunity to work with the sales team at Kew Media Distribution. Its multi-genre catalogue features a diverse range of top-class drama, factual, comedy and event content, which is constantly refreshed with new and innovative titles from the world’s leading producers.”