The division of Mexican titan Grupo Televisa is ramping up English-language production and distribution and has appointed Chris Philip to lead its new global distribution and production unit.
Philip arrives from Engine Entertainment and reports to Televisa USA managing director Paul Presburger.
He will work closely with Televisa USA chief creative officer Michael Garcia and chief of operations and business affairs Ryan Likes to develop new series in the U.S, secure international co-productions and oversee the sale of all Televisa USA content worldwide.
The deal provides Televisa USA with first-look rights to a pre-existing slate of projects from Sierra/Engine Television and its parent companies Sierra Affinity and Engine Entertainment. Philip will continue to serve as Engine Entertainment’s CEO.
The slate includes two NBC primetime action-adventure series – Crossbones starring John Malkovich (pictured) and Siberia – as well as the feature Parker, syndicated buddy PI scripted series Tag Team and a music competition format Philip co-created with Gene Simmons.
“Our strengthened global distribution, domestic and international production capacity, combined with our successful existing series and rapidly growing development slate, positions us extremely well for future growth,” said Presburger.
“Bringing Chris into the fold is a smart deal all the way around. We gain a first-rate executive producer and international TV executive who will provide us with access to his many pre-existing, high-profile development and distribution projects. This will allow us to become a key contributor to our parent company’s leading global distribution business.”
“I am excited to be a part of Televisa USA and have it act as the studio going forward on all of our pre-existing projects,” said Philip. “This deal adds tremendous value to both our slate and that of Televisa USA. Together, we will be an even more formidable force, with the studio putting into place all of the resources needed to attract top talent and create compelling television for the global marketplace.”
Prior to Engine Philip served as president of worldwide sales at London-based Power Television and as vice-president at NBC Universal International Television.
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