News 2004

RDF Media has hired Channel 4's two most senior executives in Consumer Products, Rachel Barke and Mark Lesbirel. At the same time, the company is creating a new rights exploitation division RDF Rights, comprising its existing programme sales and distribution arm, RDF Rights, and the new RDF Consumer Products arm under Barke and Lesbirel to provide a comprehensive rights management service to its clients.

The creation of RDF Rights follows changes brought about by the Programme Supply Review and broadcasters' new terms of trade empowering independent producers to control the exploitation of rights in their programmes. RDF Rights will offer the best available deals in all secondary rights markets embracing programme sales, format deals, DVD and video, books, magazines, merchandising, music and third-party promotions. RDF Rights will be a one-stop-shop for Indies to exploit their programming and brands in all media.

Rachel Barke, formerly Controller of Consumer Products at Channel 4, and Mark Lesbirel, formerly Head of Consumer Products at Channel 4, managed the entire consumer products output over the last 5 years at Channel 4. The division worked across many key C4 franchises including Ali G, Phoenix Nights, Big Brother and Bo'Selecta! and, in 2003, generated over £50 million in product sales.

Rachel Barke becomes Head of RDF Consumer Products and joins the board of RDF Media. Mark Lesbirel becomes Chief Commercial Advisor. In addition to establishing the consumer products business alongside Barke, he will advise RDF on matters relating to sponsorship and advertising markets.