New Head of Lonely Planet Television

March 24, 2010 World Screen
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LONDON: Sue Norton has been named senior VP and head of Lonely Planet Television, and will be based in the BBC Worldwide Productions office in Los Angeles.
 
Norton will be tasked with building Lonely Planet’s programming and presence on TV and video around the world, as well as accelerating the development of short-form digital video content for web, mobile and partner distribution.
 
Starting April 12, Norton will work with BBC Worldwide Productions in a co-production partnership to maximize the Lonely Planet travel offering, with a particular focus on the U.S. She will report to Matt Goldberg, Lonely Planet’s CEO. Norton joins the company from Travel Channel Studios, where she served as VP.
 
Goldberg said: “Our vision is to develop television programming that entertains, educates and inspires people around the world to travel, and this new role is an integral part of our growth strategy in the US. We hope to build on the considerable success we have already achieved with our television programs and raise awareness of how Lonely Planet is evolving its product offering to connect with more travelers everywhere.”
 
Marcus Arthur, the managing director of global brands at BBC Worldwide and chairman of Lonely Planet, added: “Sue’s role and her location in the global televisual capital can only accelerate our ambitions for Lonely Planet TV. Working with BBC Worldwide Productions hugely experienced team, led by Jane Tranter, will also afford her the networking opportunities we found difficult to deliver from this position in Melbourne.”
 
Norton commented: “Viewers have a terrific appetite for inspirational place-based television programming. I am excited for the opportunity to lead Lonely Planet TV into the U.S. market at a time when travel video is in great demand and there are many opportunities to partner and program across all platforms.”

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