Russia's largest production company AMEDIA has recruited CBS Paramount's outgoing vp of European regional sales, Bill Peck, to start work as a consultant for the company from the start of August.

Peck, a TV veteran of more than 40 years experience, will assist AMEDIA with the international distribution of its home-produced series, including two new projects currently in the pipeline.

The former Worldvision Enterprises European md, who helped bring the likes of Dallas, Beverley Hills 90210 and Twin Peaks to TV screens outside the US, believes AMEDIA has the potential to be "the Hollywood of Russia," he told C21.

"Some countries have never shown a Russian TV series before but the productions from AMEDIA are of such high quality they could rival any BBC costume drama," Peck added.

Commenting on a recent trip to the company's Moscow studios, Peck added: "The huge number of episodes and the speed of production took my breath away. It's going to be the Hollywood of Russia."

Peck's first project will be Love Wars (75x60'), a major drama about international espionage set in London, Moscow and Paris in 1810, which is due to air on Russia's Channel One in September.

The second series on Peck's immediate agenda will be a 10- or 12-hour miniseries based on the novels of one of Russia's foremost contemporary writers, Boris Akunin.

Peck will work out of London and will also serve as a consultant to a number of other companies, but his appointment by AMEDIA underlines the Russian producer's determination to be a major player on the international scene.

The strongest signal of this came with a $30m copro and distribution deal signed with Sony Pictures Television International back in 2003, which covered 330 hours of original period dramas like Poor Anastasia (120x60') and Sins of the Father (100x60'), plus Russian versions of Sony sitcoms like The Nanny and Married With Children.

Tim Horan, AMEDIA's evp and himself a former Warner Bros exec, told C21: "We're delighted to have Bill on board. He's one of the great professionals of the industry and has a great passion and interest in Russian culture, which will be a huge benefit to the company."

Peck joined Paramount in 1999 as a consultant, becoming vp of European regional sales the following year. His first job in television came in 1962 at the BBC. He has also held various posts at companies including Granada International and Richard Price Associates.

Jonathan Webdale
28 Jun 2005