Tony Iffland, former director of television at SBS, today joined ABC Commercial as general manager, ABC content sales.
Iffland quit SBS in January after three years in the post where he oversaw the relaunch of SBS 2 and the integration of National Indigenous Television, the commissioning of local productions including Better Man, Legally Brown and First Contact, and the acquisitions of Vikings, Masters of Sex and Fargo. Before that he was general manager of BBC Worldwide Australia and CEO of UKTV.
Subsequently SBS promoted Marshall Heald from chief digital officer to the new role of director, television and online content.
Iffland will lead the ABC content sales team in globally distributing its slate of ABC-commissioned and independently acquired content across all genres. It's not a new position but fills a vacancy for the senior sales role.
Sharon Ramsay-Luck, ABC Commercial’s head of sales & business development, said: “It’s a thrill to have an industry professional of Tony’s calibre and experience – not to mention integrity and good humour – join us to lead our sales team.
“We have prioritised the expansion and repositioning of our business over the past few years and I’ve no doubt that Tony will contribute enormously to the continuation of that growth trajectory.”
Iffland said, “My track record representing quality brands and content is a great fit for this ambitious business.”