AMC Networks appoints new global sales head & expands team remit

Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire

AMC Networks has promoted Mark-Dee Shapland to VP of global content sales.

Previously serving as head of international content sales, Dee-Shapland will now oversee the global sales team and manage sales in territories including the US, Canada, France, Germany and Italy. Dee-Shapland, who joined the company in 2016, will continue to report to Mike Pears, EVP of distribution and content sales.

In this new role, Dee-Shapland will lead an expanded content sales team including two new directors of content sales who recently joined the company: Lucas Verga, who oversees sales in the Middle East, Europe and Africa; and Todd Bartoo, who oversees sales in Latin America, Asia and Oceania. Both Dee-Shapland and Verga will work out of the company’s New York office, while Bartoo is based in Los Angeles.

These new appointments come as the team expands its remit to oversee sales across all of AMC Networks’ brands, including IFC Films, RLJE Films, Shudder, Acorn TV, HIDIVE as well as AMC Studios content – and now sales for WE tv as well.

Dee-Shapland’s appointment comes ahead of MIPCOM next week, where he and and his team will present a slate including AMC Studios original series, 61st Street and season two renewals of Dark Winds and Moonhaven. 

Other titles being handled by the global content sales team include AMC Networks’ Tales of the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: Dead City, two new spin-off series based on AMC’s flagship title, The Walking Dead; as well as the first two installments in AMC Networks’ new Anne Rice Immortal Universe – Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches.

“I’m thrilled that my team and I are now representing all of AMC Networks’ brands, including WE tv’s lifestyle catalogue. We are beyond excited to be heading back to Cannes for MIPCOM, bringing to market what is without doubt the best slate AMC Networks has ever fielded,” said Dee-Shapland.