BBC Worldwide restructures children's business

by Emma Barnett, Media Week 26-Sep-08, 10:45

LONDON - BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has announced the restructure of its children's business under the leadership of new managing director, Neil Ross Russell.

The business will be renamed Children's and Licensing, and structured into three main strands focusing on pre-school, pre-teen and adult licensing.

The name change is intended to reflect the importance BBC Worldwide is placing on maximising global licensing opportunities for both hit children's shows such as Teletubbies and In the Night Garden, and adult brands, such as Top Gear and Planet Earth.

Ross Russell believes the new structure will allow BBC Worldwide to provide each brand with more focus.

BBC Worldwide Children's and Licensing will also look to explore new opportunities for brands in the US, with the recruitment of a newly created role of global head of licensing.

The role will be based in BBC Worldwide's New York office and sit alongside Susanna Pollack, senior vice-president TV sales, co-productions & children's, and her team.