Valerie C Bruce Email & Phone Number

Beverly Hills, Ca, Us

Beverly Hills, Ca, Us

Los Angeles, California, United States

Oversaw and managed daily operations of BBC Studios’ US production business through July 2024. Set and implemented strategic vision, managed P&L, increasing EBITDA significantly. Reinvigorated Dancing with the Stars, including overseeing it as first live streaming series in US on Disney+ and then the first series with simultaneous broadcast on ABC and stream on Disney+. Significantly growing the DWTS Live Tour, achieving 20% year over year and in SOLD OUT position multiple years. Led authentically and was committed to fostering a positive, inclusive and engaged culture, increasing team collaboration and enhancing overall performance, contributing to business growth and innovation. Supported sales and production of original unscripted and scripted content and reformats of existing BBCS IP, increasing hours of programming produced significantly, establishing company as key provider of quality content in marketplace, and increasing buyer base to include: ABC/Disney+, CBS, NBC, Fox, Netflix, Amazon, Nat Geo, Peacock, HGTV, and MotorTrend. Tenure produced shows: Dancing with the Stars; Dancing with the Stars Juniors; Weakest Link; The 1% Club; Ex-Rated with Andy Cohen; Life Below Zero; Life Below Zero: Next Generation; Life Below Zero: First Alaskans; Port Protection; Breaking Bobby Bones; Top Gear America; When Natures Calls with Helen Mirren; What Not to Design; Murder Among the Mormons; Wrestlers.Oversaw co-production partnership with Lionsgate to identify, co-develop, and co-fund scripted originals and formats for the US market (This Country; Ghosts) and in-house development and executive producer/studio/producer on original ideas of reformatted BBC IP (Call Me Kat) and based on UK independent production company IP.Restructured and established scripted business post-Lionsgate, developing new leadership structure and ensured greater collaboration within the company. Established talent relations and client relations strategy.

New York, New York, United States And Los Angeles, California

Drove deal making process for the business, including negotiating high-level business transactions, overseeing all business affairs, and ensuring creative and effective deals from concept to close. Oversaw and managed scripted department. Cultivated and maintained talent relations both behind and in front of the camera. Ensured productions were operating effectively and efficiently and solved for areas that benefited from improvement.Negotiated, oversaw, and managed scripted co-production partnership with Lionsgate, transforming BBC Studios into a recognized industry leader in the US marketplace. Integrally involved in the Dancing with the Stars brand, including the production of the television show, managing relationships with ABC and on-air talent, monetizing brand extensions (i.e., live events), and overseeing the DWTS Live Tour. Identified business opportunities to expand LA Productions footprint and increase revenue streams, including entering into first look deals with third party producers and on-camera talent (e.g., Bobby Bones). Leveraged original content and reformats of BBC IP in the US market, establishing BBC Studios as a valued content provider in the US marketplace and increasing market share. Collaborated with colleagues in UK, aligning local business initiatives with overall goals and strategies of global business.

New York, New York, United States

Involved in strategic planning, identification and execution of growth opportunities for US production business. Responsible for structuring and negotiating equity investments. Negotiated overall output deals with UK-based production companies in order to have greater market share in US marketplace adjacent to LA Production business. Advised UK-based production companies on the most advantageous way to structure deals in the US marketplace. Oversaw Business and Legal Affairs department of BBC Worldwide LA Productions, producers of Dancing with the Stars (ABC), Top Gear USA (History Channel), Ladies of London (Bravo), Life Below Zero (Nat Geo), and Port Protection (Nat Geo).

New York, New York, United States

Served as senior executive reporting to General Manager. Advised and counseled executives on business issues, risk assessment and strategy. Negotiated basic deal terms of all original programming development and production, co-production, talent deals, and Network-Studio License Agreements. Managed investment approval process for all scripted and non-scripted programs. Reviewed production budgets and managed approval of overages. Worked with Legal Department and colleagues in the UK. Analyzed and ensured each deal aligned with overall parent company objectives. Member of task force that developed talent strategy.Grew Channel and established original programming model, leading to partial sale to AMC Networks and to creation of hit series Orphan Black. Established deal parameters for development and production of scripted and unscripted programming. Vetted pre-existing agreements, identified agreements that needed to be revised, and oversaw the creation of new templates, including Development and Production Agreements, Network-Studio License Agreement and accompanying Wrap Around Agreement, and MAGR definitions for scripted and unscripted. Created internal processes, ensuring legal, finance, programming, press, marketing and production management were appropriately across programs and deals.

Greater New York City Area

Member of senior executive team that launched motion picture acquisition, production, financing, and distribution company formed by Graham King and Peter Schlessel. Managed day-to-day business and legal affairs. Advised and counseled senior executives (CEO, President of Acquisitions and Operations, President of Theatrical Distribution, and EVP of Marketing). Managed relationships with Business Affairs executives and Legal Affairs executives at Sony with respect to motion pictures that were jointly released and distributed. Oversaw all legal aspects of marketing campaigns. Managed outside counsel.Negotiated exclusive output agreement with Netflix, created Distribution Agreement and other templates. Advised on primary deal points for acquisitions, drafting and negotiating acquisition agreements for Soul Surfer (starring AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, and Dennis Quaid), Drive (directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling), Lock Out (written by Luc Besson, James Mather and Saint Leger and starring Guy Pearce and Maggie Grace), Insidious (Blumhouse first franchise film created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan), and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (starring Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, and Baillee Madison).

Greater New York City Area

Responsible for day-to-day business and legal affairs. Screened potential film acquisitions; analyzed financial models; structured deals, and negotiated Distribution Agreements; oversaw outside counsel conducting chain of title review for acquisitions. Negotiated output deals and managed relationships with Sony Worldwide Acquisitions and Netflix. Negotiated deals for marketing campaigns. Reviewed P&A budgets and costs and accounting statements. Participated in meetings with potential investors. Negotiated term sheets for financial investments into company. Supervised Manager of Business Affairs and oversaw outside counsel. Attended film festivals. Served as Interim COO and was liaison between owner and staff. Maintained third party relationships (Sony, Netflix, producers, etc.), ensuring successful partnerships and talent relations. Member of senior management team, launching theatrical film distribution company. Films distributed: Bright Star (directed by Jane Campion, starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish), The Young Victoria (directed by Jean Marc-Valle starring Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend and Miranda Richardson), The Runaways (starring Kristin Stewart and Dakota Fanning), Black Dynamite (starring Michael Jai White), Boondock Saints II (starring Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly), and The Square (written by Joel Edgerton and Matthew Dabner, directed by Nash Edgerton).

Greater New York City Area

Post-acquisition of Sundance Channel by Rainbow Media transitioned role to The Independent Film Channel (aka IFC), another cable channel in Rainbow Media's portfolio.

Greater New York City Area

Team member that launched original programming on Sundance Channel and grew sponsorship and branded entertainment model, including original series “Iconoclasts” and “Elvis Costello With…”.

Greater New York City Area

Member of the Business and Legal Affairs team supporting development and production of television series and made-for-television movies.

Greater New York City Area

Responsible for all business and legal affairs and general corporate matters, including domestic ancillary rights and international rights for “Saturday Night Live”.

Greater New York City Area

Managed domestic and international distribution and licensing of motion picture library. Attended film markets. drafted and negotiated agreements for independent film productions.

New York, United States

Assisted solo practitioner with transactional music industry focused legal practice. Clients included: Hans Zimmer’s Media Ventures, Jay Rifkin’s Mojo Records, and the recording artist Norman Cook (pka Fat Boy Slim).

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Activities and Societies: Recipient of Robert Lewis Prize - for excellence in Labor Law CALI Excellence for the Future Award - highest.

Bachelor’S Degree

Activities and Societies: Pi Sigma Alpha; Societas Pro Legibus

Education record

Completed following continuing education courses: Feature Film Finance for Executives; Fundamentals of Film Producing; Finance Management.