Global Screen Acquires ‘Capital Power,’ A+E UK Restructures & More: Global Biz Briefs

Munich-based Global Screen has picked up international rights to Berlin-set series Capital Power. The six-part political thriller was commissioned by German public TV ARD and is directed by Friedemann Fromm. Stars include Anna Loos (Night Over Berlin, Anatomy), Thomas Thieme (The Lives Of Others) and Burghart Klaussner (The White Ribbon). The story follows Conservative party candidate Susanne Kröhmer, a dedicated attorney who mounts an underdog campaign against reigning Berlin mayor Manfred Degenhardt. Down to the wire, Susanne lags hopelessly behind in the polls. When someone starts playing dirty tricks against her and a muckraking journalist begins airing her family’s dirty laundry, Susanne and her spin doctor resort to dubious schemes as well. When she finds out she is pregnant, Susanne has to risk all for her electoral chances and decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her goals. Capital Power is produced by Studio Hamburg subsidiary company Real Film Berlin. Global Screen will present first footage at the German Screenings in Leipzig in December.

A+E Networks UK Managing Director Tom Davidson is leaving the company amid a management restructure. Dean Possenniskie will succeed Davidson effective July 20 under the title of Managing Director, EMEA. Possenniskie currently serves as a board member of the A+E/Sky joint venture and will continue in that capacity with his new responsibilities. Davidson was in his post for seven years during a period of growth that saw the launch of new channel brands including Lifetime and H2. During his tenure, the venture’s cumulative subscriber base doubled to more than 100M households. A+E Networks UK currently operates 18 channels across the UK, Nordics, Benelux, Central Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The BFI has appointed Stuart Brown to the new role of Head of Programme & Acquisitions. Reporting to BFI Creative Director Heather Stewart, he will start August 10. Brown is expected to be a key force in unifying the BFI’s audience strategy, maximizing the cultural and commercial performance of BFI cinemas and BFI distribution across UK theatrical, non-theatrical, DVD, VOD and international tours of BFI programs, to build greater audiences, impact and income. He will work to forge exhibition partnerships across the UK, growing cinema audiences for British independent and specialized films, and to build innovative programs drawn from the BFI National Archive collection. Brown is currently Head of Events at the BFI which he joined in 2000.

Bolstering its ad sales division, BBC Worldwide North America has appointed Dawn Williamson to SVP, Advertising Sales and Tim Wastney to VP, Advertising Sales. Both will be based in New York. Williamson will be responsible for the delivery of ad sales revenues for BBC.com in North America, as well as global sales originating from the U.S. for BBC.com and BBC World News, along with TopGear.com and bbcgoodfood.com. She joins BBCWW from iHeartMedia, and was previously VP of CNN International ad sales in the Americas for Turner Broadcasting. Wastney will drive ad sales across all the BBC’s key businesses both nationally and internationally. He was formerly VP of Global Business Intelligence for BBC Advertising.