BBC Studios brings Sally Habbershaw home as global distribution chief

LONDON: Sally Habbershaw is back on home turf and ready to sell the BBC’s wares to the world.

BBC Studios has named her president of global distribution, a newly expanded London-based post that puts her in charge of the company’s worldwide content sales. She reports to Zai Bennett, BBC Studios global content CEO and chief creative officer, and starts on 29 September.

Habbershaw arrives from Mediawan, where she was chief distribution officer. Before that she spent nearly a decade as EVP Americas at All3Media International, a job created to cash in on the group’s sprawling slate of more than 45 production companies. Earlier stops included A&E Networks, AMC Networks (where she helped shape the international push for Mad Men and Breaking Bad), Viacom and Paramount businesses.

She also sits on the BAFTA board and serves as deputy chair of BAFTA North America.

In the new role she will run the global sales operation, set commercial strategy, decide content investment priorities and map routes to market across every genre and territory. She will work tightly with the scripted, unscripted, global productions, kids & family and audio teams to squeeze more value from the slate, tighten ties with broadcasters and streamers, and open fresh doors for the UK’s most awarded production company.

Bennett said: “Sally is one of the most accomplished and respected executives in the business and her experience across content investment, distribution, platforms and production makes her uniquely positioned to lead our global content distribution operation. She brings a rare combination of commercial leadership, creative instincts and deep global market expertise, alongside an exceptional track record of building partnerships and delivering growth across some of the industry’s most successful content businesses. I look forward to working with her as we continue to maximise the value and reach of our outstanding content portfolio.”

Habbershaw added: “I’m thrilled to be joining BBC Studios. After twenty years in the US and, more recently, in France, coming home to do this work here matters to me. The content and the brand speak for themselves. What made the opportunity irresistible is the moment and the people. Zai has built a leadership team that is ambitious, thinks differently and is set on making a real impact. I’ve spent my career on the other side of the table from the BBC, so I arrive with a clear view of its strengths and of the work ahead. I can’t wait to get started.”

The deal closes a circle for Habbershaw. She has spent years pitching against the BBC. Now she gets to pitch for it. The sales floor just got a sharper edge.