RDF channels four for U.S.

TV unit beefs up roster with hires

By CYNTHIA LITTLETON

With a growing roster of primetime skeins, RDF USA is beefing its executive roster with four hires.

Andy Lennon has signed on as exec veepee of finance, reporting to RDF USA prexy Chris Coelen. A 17-year veteran of the U.K.'s financial services sector, Lennon is tasked with overseeing RDF USA's financial operations and helping Coelen plot the strategic direction of the U.S. outpost of the U.K. production giant.

Mike Duffy has been named veep of development and current. He'll oversee the roster of active skeins including ABC's "Wife Swap" and "Dance Machine," Fox's "Don't Forget the Lyrics," Lifetime's "How to Look Good Naked" and Oxygen's "Coolio in the Gang."

Duffy comes to RDF USA from Painless Prods., where he helped develop and produce a number of nonscripted cable skeins, including Travel Channel's "Sandblasters" and Animal Planet's "My New Wild Life."

Miranda Wang has signed on as director of business and legal affairs, reporting to Kirk Schenck, prexy and general counsel of RDF USA. Wang, who will be responsible for most of the company's dealmaking, licensing and clearance issues, most recently worked in a similar capacity at Dick Clark Prods.

Brooke Fisher has been named RDF USA's inhouse praiser and head of marketing. She'll oversee all PR matters for the company and its shows and coordinate crossover PR efforts with RDF's U.K.-based parent concern. Before joining RDF, Fisher worked at praisery Stan Rosenfield and Associates.

RDF USA, formed two years ago by former UTA partner Coelen, has more than 35 staffers spread between offices in Gotham and Los Angeles. Company's four new hires are based in L.A.

"It's a real validation of what we've done in our short time in business that (RDF U.K.) has given us the resources to hire great people to grow our business," Coelen said.