National Geographic Channels International with key programming and marketing appointments

National Geographic Channels International’s (NGCI) global content hub in London announced the appointment of Mark Francis to vice president, Commissioning and Regional Programming and the promotion of Maggie Rhodes to vice president, Global Acquisitions and Co-Productions. NGCI’s global marketing group has also announced the promotion of Emanuele Madeddu to SVP, Marketing and Creative. In his role as VP, Commissioning and Regional Programming, Francis will be commissioning content from London independents and production companies around the world. He will also collaborate with NGCI’s local teams on their regional programming strategy. “Mark has been highly adept at building successful series in Asia, and will help our global team develop strong shows across the world,” Hamish Mykura, EVP and head of International Content for NGCI. NGCI’s global commissioning team has also elevated Maggie Rhodes to VP, Global Acquisitions and Co-Productions, based in London. Rhodes runs the Global Acquisitions team, with buyers based both in Washington, DC and London. Rhodes and the team are responsible for sourcing and licensing acquisitions, pre-sales, and co-productions for National Geographic Channel internationally and in the US, and NGCI’s expanding bouquet of channels including Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo Mundo. Rhodes will be working closely with Jules Oldroyd, SVP of Programming and Strategic Development, on the editorial strategy and further roll-out of Nat Geo People internationally. Rhodes will continue reporting to Carlyn Staudt, SVP of Global Programming, based in Washington, DC.NGCI’s global marketing team has promoted Emanuele Madeddu to Senior Vice President, Marketing and Creative. Based in DC, Madeddu oversees the marketing strategy, creative toolkits, on-ground activations and digital marketing programs for NGC, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo People and now will also take on responsibility for Nat Geo Play and other non-linear offerings that are a part of the growing NGC product portfolio.