BBC Studios hires former Bossa Studios CCO Marina Mello as first global director, gaming and interactive

• BBC Studios has hired Marina Mello as its first global director of gaming and interactive
• Marina Mello is a BAFTA member and former CCO of Bossa Studios

BBC Studios has hired its first global director for gaming and interactive, with former Bossa Studios CCO Marina Mello taking on the new role this month.

A BAFTA member who led Bossa Studios’ business development, marketing, publishing, finance and legal teams for over five years, Mello’s expertise ranges from strategy to fundraising to game publishing.

Before Bossa, she managed a range of commercial and strategic projects for Shine Group and worked with brands like the cooking competition Masterchef.

The new role at BBC Studios naturally means more game-based content using BBC IPs can be expected in the future, and when the BBC first looked to hire for the role in February 2023, the company sought someone who could tell "an NFT from an N64", to lead commercial and licencing strategy, and to oversee a "diverse portfolio of projects".

Now that the role has been filled, Mello will be responsible for developing and delivering a "global gaming and interactive strategy" for key brands like Bluey, BBC Earth, and Doctor Who.

Bluey already has a mobile game attached, in fact - Bluey: Let's Play! - which has been downloaded 33 million times.

Ready, set, play

Mello thanked BBC Studios managing director, consumer products and licensing Stephen Davies and BBC Studios president of brands and licensing Nicki Sheard for the opportunity. Davies is a 16-year veteran at the company, overseeing audio, music, live events, licencing and more over the years.

Sheard has a background at Candy Crush creator King as SVP brand marketing, where she managed game and developer brands.

Mello took to LinkedIn to share: "I'm thrilled to be joining BBC Studios as global director, gaming & interactive. The BBC is renowned for its outstanding content and unique role in fostering and promoting British creative excellence. Thanks to Stephen and Nicki for the opportunity to work with amazing brands and help bring them to audiences around the world."

Davies said: "Marina brings with her a rare blend of both television and gaming experience which makes her the perfect candidate for this role as we look to expand BBC Studios’ presence in the exciting and rapidly developing gaming ecosystem."

BBC Studios previously dipped its toes into gaming through a partnership with Roblox, which brought Doctor Who items to the platform.