Maria Ishak is Vice President, Sales North America at all3media International and works closely with the company’s factual producers in finding co-production opportunities between the UK and US on premium unscripted projects. Ishak also heads up all tape and format sales of all3media’s growing 11, 000 hours of content, which includes shows such as Midsomer Murders, Undercover Boss and the award-winning Fleabag.

Having worked in the television industry for more than 15 years, Ishak began her career within the marketing department of Fremantle and Sony Pictures Television International, before moving over to programme sales and acquisitions.
In 2010, she joined Passion Distribution and quickly became a key member of the team that helped grow the company from a $7 million start up to a $35 million business. Three years later she was promoted to VP, Sales and Acquisitions North America, and moved to New York City to launch and head up Passion Distribution USA.

She then switched over to production and worked as the Vice President, Business Development at Blue Chalk Media, where she doubled the company’s turnover in one year and secured financing for a range of productions.

Ishak was born in Lebanon, grew up in London, and graduated from Bristol University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Sociology; she sits on the board of BAFTA New York, and splits her time between New York City and London.

Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors