FremantleMedia Adds to Drama Team

LONDON: Two new appointments have been made within FremantleMedia’s worldwide drama division: Donna Wiffen as senior VP of production and network, and Sarah Hoeflich as the first to take on the newly created post of senior VP of editorial.

Wiffen will play an integral part in supporting drama production and all scripted output around FremantleMedia’s global network. She will support the acquisition and rollout of drama and other scripted content, as well as focus on alternative funding models for drama and comedy production. Wiffen was formerly the head of drama production for talkbackTHAMES, and worked as head of production at Endemol. Wiffen reports to Claire Tavernier, who has been upped to senior executive VP of worldwide drama and FMX.

The role of senior VP of editorial will be filled on a 6-to-12 month rolling basis by senior creative talent from the FremantleMedia scripted community. Sarah Hoeflich from Grundy UFA, FremantleMedia’s German production arm, will be the first person to take on this role. Hoeflich, and future executives in the role, will act as the primary point of contact for all head writers and development executives of FremantleMedia’s drama units worldwide. Hoeflich will also run FremantleMedia’s international development network and will be responsible for the global rollout of drama formats developed in house. Additionally, Hoeflich will liaise with FremantleMedia’s senior VP of acquisitions, Vasha Wallace, to provide feedback on acquisition targets from an editorial perspective.

"This is an exciting time for global drama, and FremantleMedia has one of the strongest networks in the industry," said Wiffen. "There is now even more international scope for scripted productions, which creates fantastic opportunities for FremantleMedia, with its multiple production centers all around the world. I’m looking forward to the chance to extend FremantleMedia’s work in this area, so that we can continue to provide the top-quality productions we’re known for."

"In a time of heightened economical challenges, it’s very crucial that we focus on the enormous creative talent that lies within FremantleMedia," commented Hoeflich. "There are so many great ideas and gifted people working for our productions worldwide. They need a creative network, which supports their efforts, and provides a forum of exchange and inspiration. I am very honoured to be offered this unique international opportunity to learn and share what I’ve learnt with FremantleMedia’s wider drama community."

Gary Carter, the COO of FremantleMedia, added: “We are thrilled to have such talented senior team members supporting drama productions around FremantleMedia. The drama world is evolving, and so is FremantleMedia Drama. In the last few years we have launched a number of exciting new formats, and UFA has become a centre of excellence for daily serial dramas worldwide. We’ve also been able to find innovative ways to collaborate across our network, such as the recent cross over between Soko and The Bill in the U.K. and Germany. We’ve made significant progress in world wide drama and comedy in recent years and I’m looking forward to the continued success of this new team."

Tavernier said: “I’m delighted that Donna and Sarah will be joining the worldwide drama team. In her new role, Donna will be an integral part of connecting all of our production centers, so that we can continue to maximise the potential of our global network. The rolling [editorial] secondments will help FremantleMedia to capitalize on the skills and expertise of our head writers around the world, and Sarah is the perfect first candidate for the role. These appointments will ensure that the worldwide drama team is best placed to support our global businesses into the future."

Key priorities for the new worldwide team will be the international rollout of some of FremantleMedia’s new telenovela and daily drama formats such as Alles Was Zaehlt (All or Nothing); further format acquisitions following the company’s international rollout of Betty la Fea (Ugly Betty); the reinforcement of FremantleMedia’s international development network and also a focus on low-cost production and on alternative funding models for international drama.