Marion Edwards, a 24-year Fox exec who has been the face of the studio in the international TV sales community for decades, will step down from her post as president of international for Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution at year’s end.
Gina Brogi, 20th Distribution’s exec VP of worldwide pay TV and subscription VOD, will take the reins from Edwards in January. She will report to Mark Kaner, president of Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution.
“It has been a very difficult decision to leave Fox but I am excited to see what new adventures lie ahead for me,” Edwards said. “Mark, Gina, and I have worked together to make sure that our group is fully prepared and ready to face the challenges of the demanding future that lies ahead and now, having achieved that goal, it is the perfect time for me to step away and for Mark and Gina to lead the group forward to what I am sure will be an extraordinary future. Gina has proven herself to be up to every challenge and Mark continues to be one of the most inspiring leaders in our business. ”
Edwards joined Fox in 1992 senior VP, rising to president of international television in 2007. Before Fox she worked in sales for MGM/UA and MCA Universal International TV. She was feted in 2014 with MipTV’s Médaille d’Honneur Award recognizing her contributions to international TV.
Edwards was part of the first wave of major studio sales execs to help drive the worldwide growth of international TV licensing revenue for Hollywood with hugely successful sales efforts for “The X-Files,” “The Simpsons,” “24” and other Fox-produced hits. Edwards oversees a sales force with operations in more than 200 countries.
“Marion is an institution in international television,” Kaner said. “She is an exceptional leader who is highly regarded and admired throughout the industry and has achieved such great things for us. I can think of few executives who are as passionate, smart and dedicated as Marion and I am extraordinarily pleased she has agreed to stay on through the end of the year to lead a smooth transition. Gina is ideally suited to step into this important role and I am impressed by her leadership abilities.”
Brogi joined Fox in 1999. She has helped set the template for the studio’s pay TV and SVOD licensing deal as she rose through the ranks to her current post in 2011. Brogi hailed Edwards as a mentor and a pioneer for female executives in a traditionally male-dominated sector. “She paved the way for women in this industry at a time when it was not an easy thing to do,” Brogi said.
