Cologne – In order to centrally manage the overall exploitation of its programme content as well as to develop the international sale and distribution of broadcasting rights of its children’s brands, with effect from 1 August WDR mediagroup (WDRmg) has strengthened its programme exploitation with Stefanie Fischer as Head of Content.

Stefanie Fischer

In this role, her area of responsibility includes expanding the offering to include new content as well as the orchestration of commercial exploitation content from TV and radio programmes across the various channels. In this area, the portfolio of WDRmg covers a broad exploitation spectrum such as excerpt rights, pay TV, VoD and products such as DVDs, CDs as well as printed publications. Furthermore, Fischer – who focuses on children’s programmes – is responsible for developing the international sale and distribution of broadcasting rights and for international co-productions. In her new position she reports to the Director of Programme Exploitation and Project Management, Andrea Zuska.

Stefanie Fischer comes to WDRmg from ProSiebenSat.1 TV Deutschland GmbH, where she worked as Sales Director in Content Sales. Her professional background also includes having worked for Sony Pictures Television Sales Deutschland GmbH and ZDF Enterprises GmbH, where she was employed as a Sales Manager for international and digital programmes, as well as the exploitation of children’s programmes.

“By strengthening programme exploitation with Stefanie Fischer’s appointment, we are systematically continuing the expansion of the area. In addition to our activities as a licensor for our merchandising portfolio of children’s brands, we see great growth potential for the future, primarily in bespoke content strategies and in the internationalisation of our children’s division. The entry into international co-productions will help us secure attractive rights for the merchandising business and the sale of broadcasting rights,” said Andrea Zuska.