BBC Worldwide Names New MD for Australasia

LONDON: Jon Penn, who currently serves as the CEO of FremantleMedia Enterprises for Asia Pacific, has been hired as BBC Worldwide’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, effective in April.

In his new position, Penn, who will succeed former leader Tony Iffland and interim general manager Blair McQuade, will work under Marcus Arthur, BBC Worldwide’s London-based president for the U.K. and Australasia. He will be in charge of the ownership of the region’s P&L under the company’s new "Balanced Regionalization" plans, meant to drive revenue in the territory over the next half decade.

Penn possesses a great deal of P&L and commercial and digital media experience. He established FremantleMedia Enterprises’ brand licensing and interactive media division in Australia more than a decade ago and was upped to CEO for Asia Pacific in 2009. 

Arthur commented: "I’m really pleased that Jon has decided to take up our challenge as M.D. of Australasia, a role that will have increased responsibility in BBC Worldwide’s new organizational structure. His strategic influence across so many platforms, properties and brands at FremantleMedia is impressive, not least because of the outstanding commercial growth he’s drawn from them. I know he’s the right person to lead BBC Worldwide Australasia on to bigger and even better things as the region takes charge of its own P&L for the first time."

Penn added: "I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to guide BBC Worldwide Australasia through such a pivotal point in its history. I have nothing but admiration for the business and I look forward to building upon the huge success already achieved by its talented workforce and building upon Blair’s brilliant leadership since Tony Iffland departed."

BBC Worldwide has also appointed Blair McQuade as the new chief commercial officer for the region. He will support Penn’s role and will be responsible for the company’s commercial activities in Australasia.