Cologne, Germany-based pubcaster WDR, a regional affiliate of ARD, has hired Stefanie Fischer as its head of content with a focus on the international distribution of its children’s programs, as well as new content acquisition.

Fischer, most recently the content sales director for German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, officially stepped into her new role on August 1 and is now responsible for strengthening WDR’s content offering through the development of international co-productions and the international sale and distribution of broadcasting rights.

Her direct report is WDR’s director of program exploitation and project management, Andrea Zuska.

WDR made the appointment in an effort to centrally manage the pubcaster’s overall content sales and grow WDR’s merchandising business around its portfolio of kids brands.

Prior to her stint with ProSiebenSat.1, Fischer held executive positions with Sony Pictures Television Sales Deutschland and ZDF Enterprises.

Method Animation’s popular animated series The Little Prince is a co-production in association with WDR.