SBS Director of TV departs and TV and online teams come togeer

SBS Director of TV departs and TV and online teams come together

Media Release

Thursday 15 January, 2015

SBS today announced Director, Television Tony Iffland will depart SBS after three years in which he has steered SBS television through a period of growth and transition, including the free-to-air launch of National Indigenous Television (NITV) as part of SBS and the transformative relaunch of SBS 2.

Under Iffland's leadership, SBS has enjoyed success, premiering ground-breaking new comedy, drama and documentary commissions such as First Contact, Legally Brown and Better Man and, in production, drama series The Principal and many other commissions. Iffland also brought to SBS world-class international drama content such as Vikings, Masters of Sex and Fargo and acclaimed documentaries from around the world. He has also led new event television for SBS such as Mardi Gras and Tropfest.

SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said: I thank Tony for the huge contribution he has made to SBS. Tony's commitment to innovation in programming, focus on ensuring our audience is at the heart of everything we do, and the exceptional team he has built and nurtured leaves SBS television in great shape. I wish him the absolute best for the future.

Iffland said: This was a tough decision and I am sad to leave such a great team but now is the right time for me to consider new opportunities. I am incredibly proud of our achievements on screen and in assembling a world-class content team. Our diversified portfolio of content means SBS is being enjoyed by more Australians. SBS has an invaluable role to play in contemporary Australia and is well-positioned to continue delivering great TV programs for all Australians.

In light of Iffland's departure, SBS will continue its focus on implementing agile operational structures by integrating the TV and Online content divisions which will be led by Marshall Heald in a new role of Director, Television and Online Content.

Heald joined SBS in 2007 and is currently Chief Digital Officer, responsible for the organisation's digital content and technology strategies, including catch-up service SBS ON DEMAND and online content, which have received numerous industry accolades.

Ebeid said: Bringing together the online and television content teams builds on the extensive work we've already done to join up our content approach across all our platforms. The changes are about evolving our ability to maximise investment in multiplatform content that reflects the Charter and enhances the experience for Australian audiences, delivering content in the ways they are consuming media today.

Marshall's extensive expertise in media, content and digital environments will be invaluable to SBS as we continue to deliver audiences high-impact content that reflects their changing media consumption habits whilst maintaining the integrity of the unique SBS Charter in providing all Australians with inspired content.

Heald will take up the new position when Iffland departs SBS at the end of January.

ENDS

LINK:	http://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/news-media-releases/view/id/937/h/SBS-Di...
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