Global film and TV studio FIFTH SEASON has appointed David Wilcox as SVP Sales EMEA, as its latest senior leadership hire within its Television Distribution division. Effective immediately, Wilcox will lead the company’s television distribution strategy across the EMEA region and will report into FIFTH SEASON’s EVP of Television Distribution, Jennifer Ebell. Additionally, the remits for current FIFTH SEASON executives Alistair Jennings and Travis Webb have been expanded.
In his new role, Wilcox will be responsible for driving EMEA sales across FIFTH SEASON’s premium content slate, leading the regional sales team and identifying new commercial opportunities across linear, digital and co-productions. This announcement follows former Number 9 Films and Paramount executive Kate Laffey joining FIFTH SEASON’s International Television Distribution team as SVP Acquisitions in June this year.
Wilcox joins FIFTH SEASON from ITV Studios, where he spent seven years as SVP EMEA, leading the content sales team and pre-sale and co-production strategies. Prior to this, he was VP Nordics & Benelux for four years at NBCUniversal’s Television Distribution division where he negotiated major volume deal partnerships. Wilcox began his career at ITV Studios, spending nine years in its sales division across multiple territories.
In addition, FIFTH SEASON’s regional leaders Alistair Jennings and Travis Webb have taken on expanded remits. In his new role as SVP, APAC Sales and Partnerships (formerly SVP, APAC Sales), Jennings now leads FIFTH SEASON’s synergy strategy across APAC, acting as the primary liaison between Television Distribution team, FIFTH SEASON’s two major stakeholder partners CJ ENM and Toho, and internal departments. In addition, he will support regional content strategy by managing relationships with partner producers and scouting new IP and acquisition leads.
As SVP Sales, Americas, Webb now also oversees FIFTH SEASON’s global home entertainment and digital strategy, driving growth across DVD, aggregation, and streaming platforms to unlock the full value of the company’s catalogue.
Jennifer Ebell, EVP of Television Distribution at FIFTH SEASON, said, “David joins FIFTH SEASON at a pivotal moment in our growth story, as we scale our global reach and build on our track record of success. His deep experience and strong relationships across EMEA make him the perfect choice to drive our ambitions in these key markets. Alongside Travis and Alistair, who are expanding their own remits into new areas, David strengthens an exceptional leadership team dedicated to cementing FIFTH SEASON’s position as a global leader in premium content.”
David Wilcox added, “I’m delighted to join FIFTH SEASON at this exciting stage of accelerated growth. The ambitious team has a creative approach to distribution and a reputation for delivering best in class content, and I look forward to driving new opportunities with EMEA partners to amplify the success of the premium slate.”
FIFTH SEASON’s distribution operation is headquartered in London, with 60+ executives based across New York, LA, Hong Kong, Stockholm and Toronto. The company’s slate of premium content includes American Classic from FIFTH SEASON’s studio featuring Laura Linney (Ozark, The Big C) for MGM+; Stan Original series He Had It Coming starring Lydia West (Big Mood, It’s a Sin); Made Up Stories’ The Good Daughter starring Rose Byrne (Physical, Damages) and Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus, The Perfect Couple), alongside new docuseries Death Cap which FIFTH SEASON co-produced with Dreamchaser and Den of Martians.
