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LONDON — Zodiak Media’s international distribution arm, Zodiak Rights, has returned to BBC Worldwide to source key staff upon hiring Steve Macallister, former president and managing director of BBC Worldwide sales and distribution.
Macallister joins the Paris-based sales and distribution company as Zodiak Rights CEO, replacing Matthew Frank, who is stepping down on Jan. 13. Frank leaves the position after 20 years, having joined his brother’s fledgling indie RDF in 1994.
Macallister joins Zodiak from BBC Worldwide. Before joining BBCW in 2007, Macallister managed the distribution business for Disney ABC International Television – Asia Pacific, formerly known as Buena Vista International Television – Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), the international television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company.
Macallister’s hire follows Zodiak Media’s move to bring in BBC Worldwide’s director of scripted, content and production Caroline Torrance as head of international scripted in October last year.
RDF Rights became Zodiak Rights in 2010 following the acquisition of RDF Media Group by Zodiak, and Frank’s departure follows that of his brother David Frank, the former Zodiak Media CEO who was succeeded by Marc-Antoine d’Halluin in October 2013. Macallister said he is “delighted to be joining Marc-Antoine and the Zodiak team.”
Said d’Halluin of Frank’s leave: “The scale of what Matthew has achieved over the last 20 years is remarkable, and I know he will be missed on both a professional and personal level, and I wish him all the best. He leaves behind an incredibly successful and reputable business, and I have every confidence that Steve will now take the company to its next phase.”
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