Diene Petterle
Pulse Films announced former BBC Commissioning Editor Diene Petterle had joined the company as Global Creative Director of Non-Fiction. In addition to Petterle, Samira Sorzano was appointed as Global Communications Director. “Diene brings a wealth of experience to Pulse Films that will help to bolster our position as one of the leading non-fiction producers, both domestically and internationally. Her experience as a commissioner and executive producer will be invaluable in finding new captivating and untold real stories, told through a diverging lens that Pulse Films is renowned for,” said Marisa Clifford, CEO & Co-Founder at Pulse Films.
“Pulse Films is a dynamic production company that has recently secured some huge commissions with global streamers and mainstream broadcasters. With a strong record of producing award-winning feature documentaries, sought after by Sundance and other major festivals, as well as hit series on streamers, I am excited to continue building on this strong brand to further create more meaningful, high quality non-fiction programming that appeals to audiences worldwide,” Diene Petterle commented.
Formerly a Creative Director at Darlow Smithson, Petterle was integral to the company’s growth, helping double their turnover with SVOD and linear commissions. During her tenure she also executive produced premium documentaries including ITV feature doc “In Cold Blood,” which won an International Emmy Award and was nominated for Royal Television Society and Broadcast Awards. In her role as Global Creative Director of Non-Fiction at Pulse Films, Diene Petterle will focus on developing and delivering an innovative premium slate of factual programming and documentaries. Continuing to elevate the Pulse Films brand in the UK and United States, Diene will also look to expand the company’s international portfolio in Latin America.
Since leaving DSP last year, Petterle developed and sold a premium series to a major streamer through her company, Petterle Films, in co-production with Wall to Wall. At Icon, she executive produced “Unknown Amazon” which won an Environmental Media Award and a new format for Nat Geo which has since been recommissioned. Whilst at the BBC, she was responsible for commissions including BAFTA Award-winning “Who Do You Think You Are?” with Danny Dyer, ratings hits “Fifteen Billion Pound Railway,” “The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs,” and Steve Backshall’s popular expedition series “Extreme Mountain Challenge,” and “Down the Mighty River.”
Samira Sorzano has also joined Pulse Films as the new Global Communications Director. Based in the company’s London office, Sorzano will oversee PR and communications for Pulse Films’ global offices in London, Los Angeles, New York, Berlin and Milan, and all of the company’s divisions including Film, both scripted and factual Television, Branded Entertainment, Music and Commercials. Both Diene and Samira report into Marisa Clifford, CEO (UK/Europe) & Founder, whilst working closely with Thomas Benski, CEO & Founder.