BBC Studios revamps its consumer products and licensing teams

BBC Studios Brands & Licensing has outlined a new global approach to its consumer products and licensing business, with the creation of two distinct global teams.

BBC Studios has appointed Nicki Sheard as CEO of Brands & Licensing. Sheard will continue to lead BBC Studios future-facing ventures, overseeing the Global Digital Brands, New Business and Data & Insights teams and helping BBC Studios identify new opportunities for growth.

Reporting into Sheard from New York will be Suzy Raia, leading the Global Consumer Products team as SVP.

In addition to North America and LatAm, Suzy’s remit will now include the UK, EMEA, Asia and ANZ, with the support of Murilo Hinojosa, VP, CP LatAm, Kate O’Connor, Director of Brands and Licensing, ANZ and Andrew Carley as Director, CP for UK,EMEA & Asia.

Reporting into Sheard from London is Stephen Davies – now SVP of Global Licensing – who will oversee the newly created Global Licensing team.

Stephen joined BBC Studios in 2007 and became MD of Consumer Products & Licensing in 2019. This new remit will allow a strengthened focus on strong growth areas for BBC Studios and to establish a new team dedicated to the very rich ever-growing archive.

BBC Studios also welcomes Lee Allentuck, who joins the Global Consumer Products team in New York as VP of Consumer Products for North America.

“I’m grateful for the continued opportunity to oversee such a dynamic and growing part of our industry and I’m excited to see the benefits of this shift,” said Nicki Sheard, CEO of Brands & Licensing at BBC Studios.

“Having two distinct global teams for Consumer Products and Licensing will allow us to drive a global approach for our activities and in return maximise growth for our key brands with global appeal such as Bluey and Doctor Who.

“This will also help increase our focus on key areas where we see potential, giving us an opportunity to find fresh ways to link new areas of the business, innovative in how we engage with our audiences. I’m thrilled to see Suzy and Stephen take on these expanded roles and I’m looking forward to seeing our brands thrive even more in this improved setup.”

Suzy Raia, SVP, Global Consumer Products, added: “I am both honoured and humbled by this momentous opportunity to lead our global consumer products team. This is a pivotal moment for us and with Nicki’s leadership and the support of the incredible teams across the regions, I look forward to building on our successes and driving innovative strategies to elevate our brands in service of our fans around the world.”

Stephen Davies, SVP of Global Licensing, continued: “I am thrilled to be leading a newly focused global licensing business. There are so many opportunities to unlock across such exciting business sectors as Gaming, Education and Live Entertainment and the archive presents us with a treasure trove of wonderful content to bring to audiences across the World in all sorts of ways. I cannot wait to get stuck into the next phase of our growth journey.”

Lee Allentuck VP of Consumer Products for North America, said: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to join BBC Studios, an organisation renowned for its iconic brands and properties such as Bluey, Doctor Who, and Planet Earth.

“BBC’s values of excellence and education aligns perfectly with my own commitment to STEM learning and developing innovative play, and I am thrilled to bring that passion for innovation and creativity to the BBC and joining this amazingly talented team.”