Monday, 9 October 2023

Deadline: Fox Entertainment Global Hires David Smyth As EVP, Sales

Story from Deadline:

Fox Entertainment Global, the international distribution division of the broadcast network, is staffing up. The company has hired David Smyth as EVP, Sales.

Smyth will report to FEG Chief Operating Officer Tony Vassiliadis.

Based in London, Smyth will be responsible for overseeing global sales and domestic off-platform sales for programming produced by Fox Entertainment’s in-house studios, including Fox Alternative Entertainment, Fox Entertainment Studios, Studio Ramsay Global, Bento Box Entertainment, MarVista Entertainment and TMZ, as well as a slate of content from Tubi, Fox’s AVOD streaming service.

Smyth will officially assume his full-time role at FEG in January 2024.

Most recently, Smyth served as a consultant to Fox Entertainment Studios on international scripted co-production and development partnerships, reporting to Michael Thorn, Fox Entertainment’s President of Scripted Programming. Smyth will continue to work with Thorn in his new role, identifying and cultivating international co-production partnerships. He will also collaborate with Allison Wallach, the company’s President of Unscripted Programming, on international unscripted formats.

Smyth rounds out FEG CEO Fernando Szew’s senior leadership team, which is led by Vassiliadis, who is responsible for overseeing all business operations for the company. They are joined by Deena Stern, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications; Lori Bernstein, Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs; and Michol Hatwan, Vice President, Strategy and Operations.

“As we look ahead and approach the next phase of FEG’s growth, we’re incredibly fortunate to have an executive with David’s experience and global leadership join our organization,” said Vassiliadis. “With FEG’s portfolio continuing to expand with scripted, animated and unscripted programming, along with a slate of content from Tubi, David’s firm grasp across all genres and formats, as well as a strong track record of launching streaming platforms and an innovative approach to business, uniquely aligns with FEG’s entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit.”

Smyth added, “I am so delighted to be re-joining the Fox family and the terrific business and team Fernando and Tony have built. This is an exciting new era for Fox, and I feel privileged to play a part in what I am sure will be a fantastic next chapter. I can’t wait to get started and to work with Tony, Deena, Lori and Michol, as well as with Michael Thorn, Allison Wallach and the terrific team at Fox Entertainment.”

Prior to consulting Fox Entertainment Studios, Smyth was CEO of Beyond Rights, where he launched several FAST channel partnerships across the world until Banijay acquired Beyond International in 2022.

He spent ten years working at Twentieth Century Fox on the international TV sales side and before that was part of Sky’s acquisitions team buying shows from the U.S. studios.

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