A+E Networks Hires Pair of Senior Execs for EMEA Team

NEW YORK: A+E Networks has made two appointments to its EMEA team, naming Kiaran Saunders as its VP for the region and Jon Wildman to the newly created role of VP of ad sales.

In his new position, which is effective September 1, Saunders will be charged with A+E Networks' growth strategy and execution, and branded channel and digital distribution throughout EMEA. He previously served as the VP and commercial director for Nickelodeon UK. Before that, he held senior corporate development and finance posts at Channel 4 and RSM Robson Rhodes.

Wildman's duties include supervising and increasing A+E Networks' ad sales operations across EMEA. His new appointment is effective immediately. In the past, Wildman was an employee of Sony Pictures Television, where he oversaw Sony's EMEA ad sales business. He has also served in senior ad sales roles at Sky Media and Discovery.

Both executives will work out of London under Dean Possenniskie, the company's managing director for EMEA.

"A+E Networks reached a number of important milestones in EMEA last year, and these appointments reflect plans for our next phase of growth," said Possenniskie. "One of our primary goals is to have a portfolio of three to six channels in every territory. Kiaran's commercial background is well-suited to ensuring we achieve this throughout EMEA."

Possenniskie continued: "With a portfolio featuring some of the leading global factual and entertainment brands, ad sales is critical to our growth. Jon's diverse advertising sales experience across both the U.K. and EMEA makes him the perfect fit for this position."