GRB Studios Rejigs International Sales Team

GRB Studios has made several management changes in its international sales unit, with Hud Woodle, the company’s newly appointed executive VP of international sales and operations, assuming leadership of the division.

Woodle previously worked at GRB as director of sales in 2006 and 2007. He is tasked with running the global distribution business as well as forging international partnerships. Additionally, Melanie Torres has been promoted to VP of international sales. She will report to Woodle and continue handling sales for U.S. Hispanic, LatAm, Spain and Italy.

Sarah Coursey, senior VP of international, will continue her focus on global acquisitions and co-productions as well as sales into Canada, Russia, Benelux and Scandinavia. Longtime GRB associate Liz Levenson will also be charged with acquisitions and remains responsible for sales into Africa and the Middle East, and Torquil Macneal will continue overseeing sales for the APAC region. Coursey, Levenson and Macneal will report directly to Woodle.

Most recently, Woodle worked at Scripps Networks International in a variety of roles: VP of international program sales and distribution, general manager at Food Networks Asia (working in New York and Singapore) and director of program sales covering Asia, LatAm and Iberia. Prior to Scripps, Woodle worked at NBC Universal International Television as a sales executive for E! Entertainment, and he spent a year at Tech TV in 2002 in global program sales. He began his career at E! Entertainment in 1999 handling inflight sales.

Benz said: “We are very excited to welcome Hud back to GRB Studios. He brings a great wealth of international television experience and contacts. I am confident that he will take GRB Studios to the next level.”

Woodle added: “GRB Studios is a dynamic production and distribution company with a stellar reputation, and I am thrilled to be back with Gary and the team. I look forward to further developing GRB’s global business amid this fast-changing television landscape.”