Digital Rights Group Appoints Christina Willoughby As Managing Director Of Channel 4 International

Digital Rights Group (DRG) has appointed Christina Willoughby as Managing Director of Channel 4 International (C4i), the UK distribution company acquired by the Group at the end of last year.
Willoughby, who joined C4i in 2003, was formerly Head of International Sales and Co-Productions, a role which saw her leading a team incorporating acquisitions, development and producer 'first look' deals, co-productions, pre-sales, traditional sales and programme delivery.
In addition to stepping up to overall strategic and management responsibilities at C4i, Willoughby has become Acting Managing Director of iD Distribution, distributor of factual entertainment, lifestyle, reality and documentary programming, also part of DRG.
Chris Wright, DRG’s Chairman, commented: "It’s terrific to be working with Christina again. Having previously achieved success together at Chrysalis, she’s the natural appointment to help us achieve the growth plans for DRG."
Jeremy Fox, CEO of DRG, added: "We are very pleased to have someone with Christina’s unparalleled industry expertise at the helm. During the course of a lengthy career in content distribution, she has developed strong international relationships with broadcasters and producers and is an acknowledged leader in bringing the best of independent production to a global audience."
Christina Willoughby added: "I am pleased to take on this pivotal position at C4i and also look forward to working with the team at iD Distribution. It is great to be an integral part of a truly independent group of distribution companies. The impact of DRG’s involvement in our businesses will unquestionably give us the all-important extra edge going forward. We aim to acquire new shows that the world wants to see; the substantial IMAC fund now available to us makes us bigger, better and more able to support the independent production community than ever before."
Immediately prior to joining C4i, Christina was Managing Director of Chrysalis Distribution. She set the division up in 1993, which quickly became one of the UK’s leading independent TV distributors, culminating in the successful sale of The Chrysalis TV Group to All3Media in 2003. She has also held positions with Granada Television International, RAI (Italy’s state broadcaster), as well as with British and American production companies.
(DS)