Wolf Entertainment Launching Format Sales

Dick Wolf’s Wolf Entertainment, which is behind such successful franchises as Law & Order and FBI, is aligning with Universal Studio Group to create a new sales venture focusing on international format distribution.

The new sales house was designed to capitalize on the continued success and growth of NBCUniversal/Wolf Entertainment content. Leslie Jones, a veteran studio executive who has spent her corporate career at NBCUniversal, has been tapped to lead.

Jones previously worked in international sales and format production for NBCUniversal Television Distribution. She secured groundbreaking deals for the Law & Order brand, representing the first scripted format deals for the company and the first international format deal for any U.S. procedural drama. Jones was most recently founder and principal of her eponymous consulting firm that provides management and strategic consulting for companies ranging from international distributors and foreign broadcasters to independent production companies and U.S. broadcasters.

“We are getting back into the format business, and I am thrilled that Leslie is back doing what she does best: selling international formats of our shows,” Wolf, CEO of Wolf Entertainment, said. “As our company grows and our brands expand, Leslie is the ideal partner to reignite the business.”

Universal Studio Group Chairman Pearlena Igbokwe added, “While the majority of Universal Studio Group content will continue to be sold through the NBCUniversal Formats team, we believe this targeted approach to our Wolf products will yield significant results.”