Australia-born, London-based Payne has come a great distance from her first trade job because the assistant for worldwide distribution for Hanna-Barbera Australia. She now oversees Banijay Rights, the distribution arm of the world’s largest indie manufacturing conglomerate, promoting every thing from Survivor, Huge Brother and MasterChef to Black Mirror and Peaky Blinders worldwide.
Navigating a contracting market dominated by “streamer correction and general industry consolidation” has been a problem this previous yr, says Payne, one sophisticated by government shuffling throughout broadcast and platform teams which has “delayed decision making” and led to gaps out there, just like the sharp decline in commissioning for mid-budget factual leisure sequence.
“It would be good to see when [these] big industry groups [Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery] will settle and [there] future programming strategy become clearer,” she notes. The kid of a working-class household, Payne has all the time been centered on improving illustration throughout socioeconomic backgrounds, usually a blind spot throughout the leisure trade. “I believe grassroots programs that grow change can shift long-term attitudes,” she says. “Talent can come from anywhere.”
What was your first job within the enterprise?
My first function was as Assistant to the chief government, worldwide distribution for Hanna-Barbera Australia, which noticed me deal with distribution for the Hanna-Barbera catalogue throughout Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. It was simply the chief dxecutive and I, so I used to be answerable for contracting, content material supply, advertising and marketing and finance, amongst different areas.
What was the most important skilled problem you confronted this previous yr?
Navigating the outcomes of streamer correction and normal trade consolidation together with financial restoration. All of which has resulted in delayed decision-making and has intensified additional with government strikes.
What do you see as your greatest achievement of the previous yr?
Sustaining consistency throughout the Banijay Rights crew and guaranteeing we pivoted to satisfy the market challenges. Our catalogue is an enormous asset that helps us obtain this.
What must be accomplished to enhance equality and range throughout the trade?
In my expertise, completely different territories are at very completely different ranges when assembly these challenges. Personally, I’ve all the time been very centered on improving illustration throughout socio-economic backgrounds, which largely stems from my very own expertise. I consider grassroots applications that develop change can shift long-term attitudes. Expertise can come from wherever.
What’s or has been the best problem in being a lady on this (nonetheless very male-dominated) trade?
The most important problem has been how I replicate by myself successes and failures. I’ve discovered to be extra thick-skinned in shifting on from issues whereas by no means discounting the significance of reflection and overview.
What present trade development do you hope to quickly see the again of?
Govt motion throughout broadcast and platform teams and a return of the mid-budget stage factual leisure sequence; the market is worse for the lack of commissioning on this space. It might be good to see conclusions of the place these large trade teams [Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery] will settle, and as they do, their future programming technique will turn into clearer.
What recommendation would you give younger ladies simply coming into the trade?
Make use of all alternatives that come your approach and do not forget that exhausting work can by no means be underestimated. Attain out to mentors and ask for his or her recommendation, and you may be shocked how open senior executives will likely be. Be bold and have a steadiness with realism about what you’ll be able to obtain at completely different steps in your profession. When it’s your time, give again to others.
What present, at the moment on air, would you like to have made?
There are too many to call, but when I concentrate on Banijay Leisure’s format experience, I wish to be representing The Traitors and The 1% Membership. Each are glorious codecs that may be scaled and custom-made for particular person markets. The Golden Bachelor spin-off has additionally been an enormous success globally, and normally, courting & romance has limitless attraction as a style.
What do you look ahead to pleasure?
I’m an enormous fan of the Apple TV slate — I discover it sensible, various, and very entertaining. I significantly benefit from the character improvement you see in sequence like Ted Lasso and The Morning Present.
What do you do to unwind?
A lot of mountaineering and yoga — I’ve all the time been very lively, and spending time with my large prolonged household. Since dwelling within the UK, I’ve turn into a really eager gardener and discover it rewarding to create seasonal gardens; it shapes the yr. I used to be late to having a canine, however I couldn’t think about life with out one now. She’s a part of the household.