Avalon has appointed Night Train Media and NENT Studios UK alum Adam Barth as part of a leadership restructure following the retirement of long-serving distribution chief Isobel Hughes. Barth joins the “Taskmaster” and “Starstruck” production company as senior vice-president of scripted and digital distribution. Meanwhile, Paula Warwick has been promoted to head of distribution as Hughes steps down. Barth will collaborate with Carly Hardman-Betts, who remains senior vice-president of global formats and program sales.
In his new role, Barth will focus on maximizing Avalon’s existing catalog and its slate of scripted projects, building on the accomplishments of Hughes and Hardman-Betts, who have successfully sold shows from Avalon’s library—spanning over 4,000 TV episodes—into 150 markets across linear, cable, streaming, and AVOD platforms.
Warwick, previously responsible for the international rollout of the “Taskmaster” format, assumes leadership of the distribution team. She will oversee key titles such as “Starstruck” (a BBC3/Max co-production), “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” “Not Going Out,” Sky/FX’s “Breeders,” and Channel 4’s BAFTA Craft-winning “Catastrophe.” Her portfolio also includes unscripted formats like “Taskmaster” and “Dog’s Behaving Very Badly.”
Barth’s appointment follows his departure from Night Train Media, where he served as head of commercial and distribution and director of co-productions, including at Eccho Rights, which Night Train acquired in 2022. Before joining Night Train, Barth was with Eccho since 2021, leading UK operations as director of development and co-productions.
As an executive producer, Barth has contributed to titles such as “Vanishing Triangle,” “As Long As We Live,” “The Inheritance,” “Granite Harbour,” and the upcoming “Safe Harbor.” His earlier career includes a stint at NENT Studios UK (formerly DRG), where he was commercial director and senior vice-president for EMEA.
Warwick, with over 20 years of experience, has been instrumental in launching global TV franchises like “MasterChef,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!,” “The Biggest Loser,” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Before joining Avalon, she held senior roles at Lionsgate, Shine Group, and ITV.
Hardman-Betts, who has been with Avalon’s distribution team since 2007, has overseen the expansion of “Taskmaster” into more than 10 territories during her tenure.
Avalon CEO, Laura Kennedy, expressed her gratitude to Hughes, stating: “I know Paula, along with a brilliant team, will continue to build on Isobel’s success. I would like to say a massive thank you to Isobel for her dedication over the years, scaling Avalon’s distribution business into an independent powerhouse.”
Warwick added: “To head up the distribution business at Avalon is an incredible opportunity and I’m excited to continue working with its world-class creative teams, to bring the absolute best shows across scripted and unscripted to our partners around the world.”
Related News
