It was announced today (07 October 2008) that Director of Sales at Hat Trick International, ISOBEL HUGHES, will join Avalon as Director of Distribution. The current Head of Distribution, ROB ASLETT, will stay on as a director of the company and focus on other growth areas for the Avalon Group.
ISOBEL HUGHES’ career in international sales spans over fifteen years. During the early 1990s, while she was Head of Sales at Virgin Vision, HUGHES was responsible for the international sales and marketing of feature film television rights (including Sex, Lies and Videotape and Drugstore Cowboy), as well as music and special event programming. HUGHES, who joined Hat Trick in 1997, has been responsible for the production company’s international format sales outside North America, and was fundamental in launching Hat Trick International and its programme sales catalogue in 1999. HUGHES then went on to become a director of Hat Trick International in 2000, since when the company’s global successes have included The Kumars At No.42 and The Worst Week Of My Life.
JON THODAY, Joint Managing Director of the Avalon Group, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Isobel has chosen to join Avalon. It is an exciting time of continued growth for the company and her skills will help mark Avalon’s ever-expanding presence in the global distribution market.”
ROB ASLETT, Director of the Avalon Group, said: “Isobel has a fabulous reputation and track-record. She is known and respected throughout the industry, and her experience will be a huge asset to Avalon.”
ISOBEL HUGHES, in-coming Director of Distribution for the Avalon Group, added: “I am delighted to be joining Avalon at this time. It has a truly impressive portfolio of hit UK shows and formats and an energetic attitude to distributing them globally.”
This announcement happens in the week that Avalon Distribution announced sketch show Touch Me, I’m Karen Taylor would be made for RTL, Germany’s biggest channel. The network immediately picked up an entire series after viewing a one-hour broadcast special developed by Constantin Entertainment. The German production house, who bought the format from Avalon Distribution, will now produce 8x30 minutes to be televised in spring 2009. Constantin Entertainment also announced it was picking up Avalon Distribution's Grumpy Old... BBC2 format in the same week.
HUGHES will head up Hat Trick International’s attendance at MIPCOM 2008 and is set to start her new role at Avalon later in the year.
ends
For more information please contact Dan Lloyd at Avalon on 020 7598 7222 / danl@avalonuk.com
------------
NOTES TO EDITORS
Avalon Distribution is part of the Avalon Group, which was launched in 1989. Avalon comprises eight key companies: Avalon Management Group (artist representation), Avalon Promotions, (promotions company and live bookings agency), Avalon Television (production company), Liberty Bell (production company), Avalon Public Relations (public relations and marketing company), Avalon Motion Pictures (film development and production company), Tinderbox Television (new format and television joint venture with Channel Four International) and Avalon Distribution.
Avalon Distribution specialises in completed programme and format sales for Avalon Television, Liberty Bell Productions and Tinderbox Television. Recent deals include: BAFTA award-winning The Sketch Show sales to over 30 territories; and the sale of Grumpy television shows to 20 countries worldwide.
