Katie O’Connell and Richard Frankie tapped as CEO and COO; high end dramas in the works

Major French studio Gaumont is launching a global TV production and distribution arm, Gaumont International Television (GIT).

Based in Los Angeles, the independent studio will produce high-end drama and comedy for the US and international markets, and already has a number of projects in development, including Hannibal, a one-hour drama series written by Bryan Fuller and executive produced by both Fuller and Martha De Laurentiis, and Madame Tussaud, a six-hour miniseries written by Michael Hirst. Gaumont will be shopping both titles at MIPCOM in October.

US TV veterans Katie O’Connell and Richard Frankie have been tapped as CEO and COO, respectively. They have brought on board Erik Pack, based in London, who will head International Distribution and Co-Production for the company.  

“As we looked to expand our global presence in television it became clear that the next logical step was to launch Gaumont International Television. As a leading independent studio we are looking to build a company that is nimble, global and creative in this ever changing television landscape,” commented Gaumont’s Sidonie Dumas, CEO and Christophe Riandee, vice CEO.“With Katie and Richard’s background in the US television market, both from a creative and business perspective, and with Erik in London overseeing our distribution and co-production, and our French team, we feel we are well positioned to produce and offer top-quality entertainment that will succeed globally.”

O’Connell previously served as executive vice president, Drama Programming for NBC Entertainment. Frankie most recently held the position of executive vice president, Business Operations for Sony Pictures Television.

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