Former exec at Tinder Swindler producer to work across Canadian company’s scripted and unscripted output
Cineflix has drafted in the former chief commercial officer at Tinder Swindler firm Raw to work across the Canadian group’s programming, Broadcast International has learned.
Piers Vellacott becomes chief commercial officer of content and executive producer at Cineflix, with a remit to drive the overall commercial strategy for all output of the Montreal-headquartered company.
He has also been handed oversight of the C3 Media and Buccaneer Media slates, and reports into Cineflix co-founder and chief exec Glen Salzman.
Vellacott will work with Cineflix’s development and production teams based in North America and the UK, tasked with leveraging financing opportunities and delivering co-productions.
His arrival comes after a 16-year stint as chief commercial officer and executive producer at Raw, which he left two years ago having worked on shows such as Gold Rush and Locked Up Abroad.
He was also attached to the All3 label’s Netflix smash The Tinder Swindler, as well as other hits The Imposter, and Three Identical Strangers.
His scripted portfolio credits as exec producer include American Animals, Dream Horse, and Encounter.
Salzman said: “As Cineflix positions for sustained growth in a highly competitive landscape, I’m delighted that Piers, who has a wealth of experience overseeing access-driven factual and high-profile scripted, is joining the group to accelerate exploitation of the global opportunities we see in content production and distribution, alongside our successful portfolio of direct-to-consumer channels.”
Vellacott added: “I’m excited to be joining Cineflix and look forward to the working with the talented teams across the group to harness the wide range of financing and co-production models the company offers, and for which they are globally renowned.”
Vellacott’s appointment follows a handful of senior exec exits at Cineflix and its distribution arm, Cineflix Rights.
Broadcast International revealed the departure of the latter’s head of scripted, James Durie, earlier this month, while Richard Tulk-Hart left his role as co-chief exec at Cineflix-backed Buccaneer in July to launch TV financing firm Volteo Media.
Cineflix has more than a dozen series in production including unscripted shows such as Cirque Life (CBC), History’s Greatest Picks with Mike Wolfe (History Channel) and Secrets of the Bunny Ranch (A&E).
Its scripted drama slate includes Anna Pigeon (USA Network and Bell Media) and recent Channel 4 pre-buy In Flight.
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