Tania Jacobson
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Senior media and entertainment executive with more than 20 years of experience leading international content sales, distribution strategy, acquisitions, and commercial partnerships across premium television and film portfolios. Proven track record driving revenue growth for global studios including Lionsgate, Endemol Shine, Shine International, and ITV Studios through strategic licensing, rights management, market expansion, and long-term client relationships. Deep expertise across scripted, unscripted, film, formats, FAST, AVOD, SVOD, YouTube, transactional, and digital distribution. Experienced negotiating complex international licensing agreements, identifying new commercial opportunities, evaluating content investments, and collaborating with production, marketing, finance, and leadership teams to maximize the global value of intellectual property.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President, Unscripted
Lionsgate Studios
01.2024 - 03.2026
- Directed the international unscripted distribution business, leading content evaluation, investment recommendations, global sales strategy, and digital distribution initiatives.
- Integrated more than 3,000 hours of acquired eOne programming into Lionsgate's global catalogue, identifying commercially valuable rights opportunities and improving sales readiness across international markets.
- Developed go-to-market strategies that expanded licensing opportunities across broadcasters, streamers, FAST, AVOD, and YouTube platforms.
- Partnered closely with production teams to position development slates for international licensing, format sales, and co-production opportunities.
- Increased annual unscripted revenue through growth across traditional licensing, transactional, and revenue-sharing models.
- Launched and expanded multiple branded YouTube channels, including Wicked Tuna, using audience analytics to increase advertising revenue while supporting wider international licensing opportunities.
- Led catalogue performance reporting and commercial analysis to inform distribution priorities and long-term monetization strategies.
Consultant
Lionsgate Studios & Whip Media
04.2020 - 12.2023
- Lionsgate Studios
- Evaluated film and television assets to support international sales and acquisition decisions.
- Developed go-to-market strategies for newly acquired television properties, including The Chosen.
- Created commercial strategies for library content, identifying new revenue opportunities through FAST, international formats, IP remakes, and digital exploitation.
- Designed a film buy-back initiative and developed centralized sales tracking systems to improve portfolio visibility and decision-making.
- Whip Media
- Supported expansion of Whip Media's content marketplace across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Conducted market analysis of buyers, sellers, and licensing activity to identify commercial opportunities.
- Generated sales leads, business development strategies, and executive reporting on industry trends and market opportunities.
Senior Vice President, Sales
Endemol Shine International
03.2015 - 01.2020
- Managed all sales, licensing, acquisitions, and ancillary commercial activity across Canada.
- Consistently exceeded territory revenue objectives through strategic licensing across scripted, unscripted, formats, and catalogue content.
- Negotiated and managed landmark productions including Big Brother Canada, MasterChef Canada, and the revival of Star Académie, collaborating across production, sponsorship, marketing, and digital teams.
- Secured a multi-year output agreement with Quebecor covering linear and VOD rights.
- Built long-term strategic relationships with broadcasters, producers, and digital platforms that generated new acquisition and partnership opportunities.
- Worked with brand management teams to expand ancillary revenue through consumer products, sponsorships, and licensing initiatives.
Senior Vice President, Sales & Acquisitions
Shine International
10.2012 - 03.2015
- Led all sales, acquisitions, and co-production activity across North and South America.
- Managed an annual distribution portfolio valued at approximately US$25 million.
- Evaluated acquisition opportunities and advised senior leadership on investment and distribution strategy.
- Collaborated with Shine Americas to maximize the international value of key scripted brands, including Broadchurch and The Bridge.
- Developed early commercial partnerships within the emerging SVOD market, including negotiating the company's first licensing agreement with Netflix.
Sales Executive → Vice President, Sales
ITV Studios Global Entertainment
01.2001 - 10.2012
- Managed television sales, format licensing, and co-production partnerships across the United States and Canada.
- Delivered sustained year-over-year revenue growth throughout the territory.
- Successfully launched multiple international format adaptations, including English and French versions of Come Dine With Me, several of which were subsequently licensed back into the U.S.
- Negotiated ITV's first virtual product placement agreement in Canada, creating a commercial model adopted across additional territories.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Waikato
New ZealandSkills
- International Content Sales
- Global Distribution Strategy
- Rights Licensing & Negotiation
- Business Development
- Territory Management
- Content Acquisitions
- Commercial Partnerships
- Revenue Growth
- Market Analysis & Forecasting
- FAST, AVOD & Digital Monetization
- Format Licensing
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Content Evaluation
- International Market Development
Timeline
Senior Vice President, Unscripted
Lionsgate Studios
01.2024 - 03.2026
Consultant
Lionsgate Studios & Whip Media
04.2020 - 12.2023
Senior Vice President, Sales
Endemol Shine International
03.2015 - 01.2020
Senior Vice President, Sales & Acquisitions
Shine International
10.2012 - 03.2015
Sales Executive → Vice President, Sales
ITV Studios Global Entertainment
01.2001 - 10.2012
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Waikato