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Fremantle’s Jon Penn named as new MD for BBC Worldwide Australasia

Jon Penn will be BBC Worldwide Australasia’s new MD

BBC Worldwide has appointed FremantleMedia executive Jon Penn as its new managing director of its Australian and New Zealand division.

Penn, who will take up the role in April, replaces former boss Tony Iffland who last year joined SBS as its director of television.

BBC Worldwide’s president of UK and Australasia Marcus Arthur announced the appointment today, and said Penn had built up extensive experience across platforms, properties and brands at FremantleMedia and would lead a restructure of BBC Worldwide Australasia’s  business.

Arthur said: “I’m really pleased that Jon has decided to take up our challenge as MD of Australasia, a role that will have increased responsibility in BBC Worldwide’s new organisational structure.

“His strategic influence across so many platforms, properties and brands at FremantleMedia is impressive, not least because of the outstanding commercial growth he’s drawn from them. I know he’s the right person to lead BBC Worldwide Australasia on to bigger and even better things as the region takes charge of its own P&L for the first time.”

Penn founded FremantleMedia Enterprises brand licensing and interactive division in Australia in 2001, and oversaw MasterChef Australia being turned into a multi-million dollar, multi platform brand among many other projects.

He said he was looking forward to the challenge of leading BBC Worldwide’s Australiasian business, which generated $140 million in revenues last year, as it took charge of its own financial base for the first time, saying it was a “pivotal point in its history.”

“I have nothing but admiration for the business and I look forward to building upon the huge success already achieved,” he said.

Penn replaces interim general manager Blair McQuade, who has been appointed to the new role of chief comercial officer.

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