Television/film producer Antony Root joins Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) as svp, international production, Europe. In this newly created position based in London, Root will oversee SPTI's production operations in Europe.
"As our European production business continues its significant growth in scale and revenues, it is imperative that we have management in place locally to provide the day-to-day leadership and co-ordination necessary to realize our growth objectives," said John McMahon, SPTI's sevp/md, Europe. "The breadth of Antony's production background and management experience ideally suits him for this role."
"SPTI has had great success in producing original drama, comedy and light entertainment in the major markets of Europe and we see even greater potential in the future," added Steve Kent, SPTI's sevp, international production. "Antony's track record in producing and exec producing popular, critically acclaimed TV series, telefilms and mini-series combined with the tremendous talent and local market expertise of our European production executive team, is the combination we need to spearhead our aggressive growth strategy." Root reports to McMahon and Kent.
SPTI has already produced numerous hit programs across a variety of genres, including the U.K. reality format DRAGONS' DEN (BBC2) as well as dramatic series HEX (Sky One) and SEA OF SOULS (BBC1); light entertainment shows like LES Z'AMOURS (THE NEWLYWED GAME) on France 3; German comedies MEIN LEBEN UND ICH (ME AND MY LIFE), ALLES ATZE (NOTHING IN COMMON) and NIKOLA all for RTL; the dramedy DEMODA, co-produced with Spain's FORTA group; and the upcoming dramas GENTE DI MARE (COAST GUARD) and RAGAZZI E RAGAZZE (TALK 2 ME) for RAI and Mediaset, respectively, in Italy.
Root is an award-winning television and film producer who has developed and produced properties for leading U.K. and U.S. television networks such as ABC, A&E, the BBC, FOX, Channel Four, Five, ITV, Showtime, TNT, USA Network and VH1. Through 2003, he was president of Granada Entertainment U.S.A. and, most recently, served as exec producer on pilots for VH1 and ABC as well as the 2004 USA Network original series TOUCHING EVIL.
From 1997 to 2003, he was with Granada Plc., first as head of drama at Granada Television in London overseeing series such as THE GRAND and FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD. From 1999 to 2000, he was based in Los Angeles as head of international drama and svp, movies and miniseries for Granada Ent. USA. In 2000, he was promoted to president of Granada Ent. USA where he supervised many series pilots and television movies, including PRINCESS OF THIEVES starring Keira Knightley; STRANGE RELATIONS, starring Paul Reiser and Julie Walters; and SECOND NATURE, starring Alec Baldwin. He also served as an exec producer on the Showtime series BEGGARS AND CHOOSERS.
Prior to Granada, from 1994 to 1996, he was head of drama at Thames Television in London, where he was exec produced JOHN SCHLESINGER'S COLD COMFORT FARM. From 1989 to 1993, Root was head of production at Working Title Television in London, a subsidiary of leading U.K. film company Working Title. In 1992-93, Root produced the six-hour multi-award-winning mini-series, ARMISTEAD MAUPIN'S TALES OF THE CITY.
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of Sony Pictures Entertainment's feature films and television programming to television outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China, Spain and the U.K., SPTI oversees production in eight regions. SPTI's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the company's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with approximately 40 networks in more than 100 countries reaching some 240 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Ent. company.
