Catherine Payne
Chief Executive, Southern Star International
Catherine has held the position of Chief Executive of Southern Star International since April 2000. Since this time, Southern Star International has grown to become the fifth largest distributor of English language programming outside of the Hollywood studios.
Catherine has worked with Southern Star for 16 years, having sold television programming in all major international markets and in the process, has established an invaluable network of global contacts within the industry.
In early 2000 Catherine secured the sale of Home and Away to Britain's Channel 5 which remains the largest sale of an Australian television programme in history.
Catherine is responsible for the overall responsibility and management of the Southern Star International division which operates from Sydney, London and Paris, including the management of product acquired from third party producers for distribution.
In recent years, Catherine has expanded the Division's activities to include the procurement of international financing for television product.
Catherine holds a Master of Management from the University of Technology Sydney.
Rory Callaghan
Managing Director, Endemol Southern Star
One of Australia's most creative production executives, Rory joined as Director of Programmes at Endemol Southern Star in January 2006 and is the newly appointed Managing Director. His first production at ESS was Killer Sharks, a three-part series for Network Ten. At Granada Productions Australia he oversaw a raft of programmes including Dancing With the Stars, Australia's Next Top Model and Australian Princess. Prior to that he spent 10 years in a variety of senior roles at the Nine Network, producing or executive producing shows such as The Footy Show, state and federal elections and the Logie awards.
As executive producer of light entertainment development at Nine, he commissioned numerous formats including Surprise Surprise, Starstruck, Russell Gilbert Was Here and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, and he was the executive in charge of Australia's Funniest Home Videos.
Sam Hall
Director of Digital and Branded Entertainment, Endemol Southern Star
Sam Hall has more than 15 years experience in television and digital media, creating content based solutions for media giants spanning print and television in London and Sydney. Sam is an industry leader in the strategic development of cross platform interactive solutions.
Alison Baker
Director of Sales, Southern Star Operations
Alison joined Southern Star International in January 2000. Prior to joining Southern Star, Alison held senior management positions with several leading international television distribution companies. After taking her degree in German and Business Administration at Aston University in 1985, Alison started her career at Granada Television International. She moved on to become Head of Sales, Pavilion International, Director of Sales, Polygram Television International and Head of Sales and Programming at Mayfair Television. Alison is fluent in German and has conversational French.
Alison sold drama, factual and children's programming into the UK, Ireland & Germany and drama and children's programming in France. She has relocated to the Sydney office where she is responsible for television sales across all three catalogues into Australian pay television, New Zealand, USA, and The Republic of Ireland.
Alison is also responsible for the overall management of the London, Sydney and Paris based sales team.
Peter Anderson
Head of Finance, Southern Star Group
Peter has held the position of Head of Finance of Southern Star Group since April 2006 and has been with Southern Star for 24 years working across all business units and in various roles within the corporate finance area. Peter is responsible for the company’s financial performance and risk management, reporting to Hugh Marks.
Prior to joining the company, Peter spent several years in accounting roles within a book publishing, music & video distribution business.