BBC Worldwide Names Director of CBeebies Investment

LONDON: The newly created role of director of CBeebies Investment is to be filled by Henrietta Hurford-Jones, who will be responsible for developing and investing in new original content for the channels internationally.

She will manage the global investment process for all preschool programming and brand properties, working closely with all of BBC Worldwide’s businesses. Hurford-Jones takes up the post as of July 19, reporting to David Weiland, BBC Worldwide’s senior VP of programming and TV channels. Hurford-Jones comes to the role from RDF Media Group, where she served as the director of international kids & family. Prior to this she was a programming consultant for JimJam and spent five years as a director of European programming at Jetix Europe (formerly Fox Kids Europe).

On joining BBC Worldwide, she said, “I’m really looking forward to working with the BBC Worldwide team and the global production community to help this fantastic brand in the exciting next stages of its development.”

Weiland said, “CBeebies is a hit with kids all over the world and Henrietta brings to the role an in-depth understanding of this young audience and the types of compelling and engaging programme concepts that resonate with them. Henrietta’s unique combination of editorial and sales expertise in this core market will be invaluable as we build on the progress we’ve made so rolling out the CBeebies brand.”