MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC's commercial arm BBC Worldwide has made an appointment with a view to expanding the reach ot its chanels in Latin America.

Jessica Rodriguez becomes VP, global channels for Latin America and for the Hispanic US Market. She will be responsible for the strategic development and implementation of BBC Worldwide's channels and will manage the day-to-day activity across the Latin American region and in the US Hispanic market.

BBC Worldwide MD global channels Darren Childs said, "Jessica's appointment is a commitment from BBC Worldwide to further develop the Latin American and Hispanic North American market for our channels business. Jessica has introduced a number of new channels and we are keen to explore new opportunities for growth."

Rodriguez says, "In Latin America, BBC Worldwide's presence is already strong through our programming participation and investment in Animal Planet and People and Arts. Given its rapid growth and strength, the US Hispanic market is critically important to our strategy. BBC America has already successfully demonstrated the power of the BBC's superlative content in the US, and I am delighted to be developing our new branded channels in this marketplace."

She has over 16 years of experience in launching and expanding brands such as Travel Channel, National Geographic and USA Network across international markets. She also has an extensive development and management record having worked in business development positions at Discovery Channel and Landmark Communications and having spearheaded several channels in Latin America and Asia.

Based in Miami, Jessica will be working across BBC Worldwide's content divisions of program sales, new media, magazines, consumer publishing and home entertainment to maximise and consolidate brand exposure in the Latin and US Hispanic markets.