Here’s big personal change in Europe as we slide towards MIPCOM Cannes next week.
Sally Habbershaw will replace Valérie Vleeschhouwer at the top of Mediawan Rights, the sales arm of Adolescence producer Mediawan.
This comes after Deadline revealed Habbershaw was exiting her New York-based role as Americas sales chief at All3Media International to move back to the UK. That triggered the promotion of Jennifer Askin to EVP, Americas at The Traitors distributor All3Media International.
The veteran sales exec has been named Chief Distribution Officer at Mediawan Rights, which is relocating its base to London in the process. She will report to Elisabeth d’Arvieu, CEO of Mediawan Pictures.
Mediawan bosses are calling the move a “pivotal milestone in the company’s ambitions and international expansion.
Habbershaw will lead Mediawan’s international sales activities and be responsible for the group’s global content sales and acquisitions strategy, leading on distribution for Mediawan’s 80 production companies, which include Plan B Entertainment, See-Saw Films, Drama Republic, Misfits, Palomar and Our Films, Leonine Studios, Boomerang, Good Mood, Submarine, Chapter 2 and Chi-Fou-Mi.
Vleeschhouwer exit
The Paris-based Vleeschhouwer, currently CEO of Mediawan Rights, is exiting in the process. Mediawan said she will “support the implementation of this new organization and work alongside Sally Habbershaw throughout a transition period” ahead of her departure.
Vleeschhouwer has played a key role at Mediawan’s sales unit growth since 2017, integrating Lagardère Studios’ distribution activities into the business in 2020 and Leonine Studios’s operations in 2024. That followed a 20-year tenure as Deputy Managing Director at AB Group.
“As we open a new chapter in Mediawan’s international expansion by relocating our distribution leadership to London, I am thrilled to welcome Sally Habbershaw to the group,” said Pierre-Antoine Capton, Chairman and co-founder of Mediawan Group. “Her expertise and vision will be essential through this new phase of Mediawan’s global development.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Valérie Vleeschhouwer, whose exceptional leadership and dedication have been instrumental since the very first day at Mediawan. With over 30 years of experience, Valérie’s remarkable contribution has shaped our distribution activities, fostered privileged relationships with producers and external talents, and skillfully guided our adaptation to market evolutions. We are deeply grateful for her commitment throughout Mediawan’s development, growth, and internationalization.”
Mediawan Rights sell around 30,000 hours of programming, including The Count of Monte Cristo and Zorro and Miraculous Ladybug and Kabul. Upcoming dramas include Sally Wainwright series Riot Women and Hugo Blick’s California Avenue, both of which are debuting internationally at MIPCOM Cannes next week.
Mediawan and its subsidiaries make the likes of F1, through Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment, which it owns, Netflix series Adolescence and Apple TV+’s Slow Horses.
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