BBC Studios has announced a series of appointments for Key Markets, EMEA, as part of its continuing plan to build its commercial business in the region. Based in Amsterdam and reporting to Arran Tindall, Chief Commercial Officer, EVP, EMEA Key Markets, Bram Husken has been appointed to the newly created role of Vice President, Benelux. Bram will be responsible for the P&L across Benelux. He will lead on commercial strategy and deliver best value and commercial returns from the BBC-branded services and content sales opportunities in these markets.
On announcing the appointments, Arran Tindall, Chief Commercial Officer, EVP, EMEA Key Markets, said: "Bram Husken is a strategic and talented leader who brings local expertise in the Benelux; I'm pleased that he is going to be leading our efforts in the region as we look to develop the BBC Studios brands and future portfolio in Benelux. Bram's appointment, alongside the well-deserved promotions of Hale Mouritz and Andrea Raman, are vital for the EMEA business as we look to maximize value from our branded services and grow our major customer relationships in the territories across all our lines of business. Harnessing their expertise will enable us to unlock new business opportunities and achieve our growth ambitions in the regions."
Bram brings a wealth of experience to the role as a seasoned senior executive with over two decades of experience in the media industry, most recently in the position of VP of Content Distribution & Management Benelux, Nordics & RCIS at Paramount Global, where he was responsible for overseeing the strategic partnerships for content distribution as well as contributing to setting up a joint venture to launch the SkyShowtime streaming service in several European territories. While at Paramount/Viacom, Bram held several senior positions, including General Counsel in Northern Europe. Before this, he worked as a private practice lawyer focused on Intellectual Property. Commenting on his new role, Bram said: "It's an exciting time to be joining BBC Studios in Amsterdam; it is an iconic brand that has an impressive track record for great content, creativity, and business within the creative industries here, so I'm delighted to contribute to the brand's further growth across the Benelux."
Also based in Amsterdam, Hale Mouritz has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Programming, Western Europe, for services in Benelux and Nordics. Hale will lead the Benelux and Nordics Programming teams, leading the editorial and content strategy and scheduling initiatives for BBC-branded services in the regions, as well as spearheading the brand and awareness growth of BBC Studios' local presence. Hale joined BBC Studios in Amsterdam in June 2021 as Head of Programming, Western Europe, where she was and continues to be responsible for performing linear and related VOD services. Under this tenure, she oversaw the successful re-brand of BBC Studios' Nordic channels, successfully launching new services BBC Nordic and BBC Nordic+. Under Hale, BBC First in the Netherlands also became the #10 most-watched channel in the country in March 2023. "Our audiences are at the heart of everything we do here at BBC Studios, and in this new role, I'm excited to develop and enhance the audience experience even further across the Benelux and Nordics regions through our curated and outstanding branded services," said.
Andrea Raman has been promoted to Business Development Director, Nordic, MENA, Turkey, in which she will be responsible for the distribution partnerships of BBC Studios branded services within these regions. Based in London, Andrea will also lead the development of new business and commercial strategic partnerships, curating packages of BBC brands and content with third-party partnerships. Andrea joined BBC Studios earlier this year and has brought much commercial experience within the broadcast industry, having worked with international brands such as ESPN Star Sports, MGM, CNBC, and A+E networks. Commenting on the promotion, Andrea Raman said: "At BBC Studios, I've forged fantastic partnerships across MENA and Turkey, and I'm delighted that under this new role, I'll be able to add Nordics to this portfolio as well as strengthen, explore and develop new opportunities for our extensive branded services."
Responsibilities held previously by Simon Cottle, VP of Affiliate Sales Western Europe, who is set to retire this year, will be split regionally between Bram and Andrea within their new roles.