ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Channels has appointed Ian McDonough to the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager, EMEA. Formerly VP Commercial Development, McDonough takes over from outgoing EMEA head Dean Possenniskie with immediate effect.

McDonough will oversee the day-to-day management of the existing portfolio of localised channels in Europe, Middle East and Africa – ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Knowledge, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Lifestyle, CBeebies and ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ HD – while continuing to secure opportunities for new channel launches. He will report to Darren Childs, Managing Director, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Channels.

Speaking of the appointment, Childs said, β€œIan has been an integral part of the EMEA management team for almost two years now and his in-depth knowledge of our ongoing regional strategy makes him the perfect choice to drive the business forward. I'm particularly pleased that we have been able to make this appointment from within the Channels team – it’s a true testament to the pool of talent working in our business.”

McDonough added, "I am excited at the opportunity to take the EMEA business through the next phase of its growth. We have a fantastic team in place already and some great developments on the horizon, so I look forward to building on the success we have achieved so far."

McDonough joined ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide in January 2009 as VP for Commercial Development, responsible for growing revenue lines and subscription figures for the company’s thematic channel portfolio, as well as ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World News, the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ's commercially funded international 24-hour news channel. He has been instrumental in consolidating the Channels business in Poland and Scandinavia by securing major distribution deals with platform operators, n, Cyfra+, UPC and Com Hem, and laid the groundwork for future channel launches in Western and Central & Eastern Europe.

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Channels currently operates a portfolio of 14 localised channels in EMEA with schedules tailored to each market. ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ HD rolled out in Poland and Turkey earlier this year.

Dean Possenniskie will work alongside McDonough until his departure on 13th August.

Harriet Otoo