OTF adds MTG exec, Stehmeier exits

Global producer-distributor Off The Fence (OTF) has appointed a leading Modern Times Group (MTG) exec as its head of acquisitions, while MD of distribution Bo Stehmeier will depart this month.

Mette Kanne-Behrendsen joins as part of a wider company restructure across the acquisition, sales and distribution divisions.

Kanne-Behrendsen was previously director of factual pay TV channels at Scandi broadcaster MTG and oversaw Viasat History, Viasat Explore and Viasat Nature in the Nordic region, Central and Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Russia and the CIS. The exec will join OTF on September 1 and will report to CEO Ellen Windemuth.

Based in London, Kanne-Behrendsen will negotiate global content deals for OTF’s catalogue, which currently holds more than 6,000 hours of programming.

Meanwhile, Stehmeier will be leaving OTF at the end of July. “Bo has been a fantastic manager and integral member of the team with a tireless appetite for innovation and fun,” said Windemuth. “I have no doubt that he will continue to have a stellar career.”

OTF’s distribution division has been further restructured with the promotion of three sales managers.

Gerbrig Blanksma, Mark Dee-Shapland and Ludo Dufour have all been upped to VP of sales and will report to Windemuth.

Further structural changes include the promotion of Imelda Wiebers to head of distribution. Under the leadership of chief operating officer Darrel James, she will be responsible for the optimisation of the company’s distribution systems.