Profile | Team | Rights TV

Team

All our consultants have years of in-house experience in business affairs working with both broadcasters and producers on high profile productions across a range of genres.

Andrew Baker – MD

Andrew Baker | Tel: 01904 567731 | Email |

Andrew Baker founded Rights.tv in 2004, having previously worked at ITV Network Centre, Granada Entertainment USA (based in Los Angeles) as Senior VP for Legal and Business Affairs, and as Head of Business Affairs in various departments within ITV productions, including Granada Film, Cosgrove Hall Films, Granada Lifestyle and Granada Kids.Since leaving Granada Andrew has worked for a wide range of production companies including Darlow Smithson Productions, Channel X, VGood Films, Fox Studios UK, 3BM, Ten Alps, Blakeway Productions, Indie Kids, Fire Mountain Productions and Kickback Media as well as advising BAFTA, Karushi Management, Chambers Management and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.Andrew writes a blog about current issues in the world of rights, TV and film – rightsblog.tv.

Michelle Bruce – Business Affairs Director

Michelle Bruce | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Michelle is a highly experienced international television professional. In a varied international career heading up the distribution company TVF International and then for eleven years as Director of Acquisitions & Business Affairs for Discovery Networks International she has worked with broadcasters and producers globally to acquire, co-produce and commission shows.At Rights.tv, Michelle is responsible for overseeing the London office and supporting expansion in the UK and internationally.

Richard Green – Executive Chair

Richard Green | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Richard’s experience in the media sector spans 20 years and more recently he was one the key architects behind the formation of 2entertain in 2004 where he held the positions of CEO until September 2009.An entrepreneurial CEO with a significant background and network in International Media. Extensive experience in packaged consumer home entertainment markets, music and video distribution, publishing, IP rights management, film and television programming.Richard has a strong track record in developing and growing companies.

John O’Sullivan – CEO

John O’Sullivan | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

As a founding member of Compact Collections, John has been at the helm since day one. He has over 25 years of media experience having previously worked at such companies as PRS, Diamond Time and Mentorn.John has overseen the exponential growth of the group encompassing the management of rights across the Film, TV & Music sectors with the creation of Compact CAM (Collection Account Management), Compact Music Services, and the newly formed Compact Capital acquisition fund.John’s passion outside of Compact is sport, a keen swimmer & footballer – as well as an avid Tottenham Hotspur season ticket holder. John is married with three children.

Warren Newbert – Financial Director

Warren Newbert | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Warren’s experience working within media services companies spans more than a decade and he has a proven track record in building and growing businesses. He joined Compact Media Group from BBC Studios and Post Production Limited – a commercial subsidiary of the BBC responsible for the operation of studio facilities at BBC Television Centre and Elstree – where he was Commercial and Finance Director.Prior to joining the BBC in 2009, Warren was CFO at Gravity Media Group, an outside broadcast company, that itself completed an MBO out of a listed plc. Warren trained with Grant Thornton and spent four years with the corporate finance practice advising a number of entrepreneurial businesses on acquisitions, disposals and fund raising.

Tariq Mirza – Head of Film & Drama

Tariq Mirza | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Tariq specialises in all aspects of commercial advice with respect to the development, production and distribution of audio-visual content with a particular focus on feature films, television productions, digital media and musical works. Tariq acts for major Hollywood studios, broadcasters, TV producers, film makers, distributors, advertising agencies, celebrities and talent agencies both in the UK and US.

Rosemary Klein – Head of Kids & Factual

Rosemary Klein | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Rosemary is a dual qualified English and Canadian lawyer who has worked both inhouse and in private practice and she joins rights. tv from Industry Media, a business affairs consultancy where she advised various independent television producers in the fact-ent, factual, entertainment, digital and childrens’ genres. On the broadcast side she has advised NBC Universal International and was Director of Legal at Nickelodeon UK and Head of Production Contracting at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Jenny Spearing – Associate

Jenny Spearing | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Jenny spent 11 years at leading production house; Tiger Aspect looking after the legal and business affairs for a range of genres but most recently specialising in factual & features.With a key eye for detail Jenny has had ample experience with UK broadcasters and distributors as well as broadcaster arrangements for Tiger’s US operation.

Alexandra Hobbs – Associate

Alexandra Hobbs | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Alexandra previously worked as Director of Legal and Business Affairs at Celador, and was Head of Business Affairs at Channel 4 Entertainment where she negotiated the original 2004 Terms of Trade on behalf of C4 with PACT, as well as being responsible for all major talent and commisioning negotiations for C4 Entertainment. Alexandra has also worked at Optomen productions, BMG Video, BBC World Wide and was company lawyer for TV-AM.

Colette Galza – Associate

Colette Galza | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Colette is an experienced and well established media lawyer (Solicitor). Her many years in the broadcasting industry expands across music, film and in particular, television production and coproduction. Colette was formerly the Senior Legal Adviser to the ITV Network and played a pivotal role in the establishment of Network policies especially with regard to the independent production community. Colette worked closely not only with the ITV regional broadcasters but also with key industry bodies including Pact, Ofcom and often in conjunction with the other broadcasters on pan industry issues. Prior to joining rights.tv Colette ran her own successful consultancy business working closely with independent producers and the main UK broadcasters. She is also currently the Chair of the Alliance for the Protection of Copyright which is the industry body overseeing the APC Code of Practice referred to in all of the major UK broadcaster’s Codes of Practice.

Sam Knowles – Business Affairs Manager

Sam Knowles | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Sam Knowles previously worked at ITV Digital Channels, responsible for ITV2 and ITV3 commissions and acquisitions for all digital channels, and previously at the BBC in a number of departments, including Factual and Learning (including BBC Online and Interactive), Radio and News and Entertainment. Prior to joining the BBC, Sam worked at Brighter Pictures as an Associate Producer. Sam has also produced a short film which is currently being distributed internationally.

Jon Kiley – Business Affairs Manager

Jon Kiley | Tel: 0207 874 7496 | Email

Jon previously worked in business affairs at Icon UK Group (Icon Film Distribution UK / Icon Entertainment International) on the acquisition and distribution of feature films. Prior to that, Jon spent several years in legal & business affairs a Ingenious Media where he worked on a wide variety of TV, film, music and live events deals. Jon has also worked for Endemol and Getty Images.

Caroline Baxter – PA to MD

Caroline Baxter | Tel: 01904 567736| Email

Caroline studied a BA in Film, Television and Theatre Studies before beginning her career in television as a Production Co-ordinator for Indie Real Life Media. During 4 years at Real Life she worked across projects for all the major broadcasters before becoming freelance and moving into Production Management, working for Indies Atypical Media, Brighter Pictures and Screenhouse Productions as well as the BBC.Caroline joined Rights.TV in 2007 and ensures the smooth running of both the York and London offices, overseeing all Company administration. She is also the first point of call for any general enquiries.

Samantha Leadley – Administrative Assistant

Samantha Leadley | Tel: 01904 567736 | Email

Samantha studied a BA in Sociology at The University of York before working in various sales & recruitment roles before returning to The University of York. Working within the Assessments department she went on to supervise all administration for the department. Based in the York office, Samantha will assist in overseeing Company administration. She is also the first point of call for any general enquiries.