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Tag: Banijay

  • Javier Perez Teuffer Lopez to head operations at Endemol Shine Boomdog

    Javier Perez Teuffer Lopez to head operations at Endemol Shine Boomdog

    MUMBAI: Endemol Shine Boomdog has named Javier Perez Teuffer Lopez as operations & business affairs senior vice president. 

    Lopez joins Endemol Shine Boomdog, a division of Endemol Shine North America, from Sony Pictures Television’s Teleset Mexico, where he most recently served as executive director, operations.

    In his new position, Lopez will oversee Endemol Shine Boomdog’s physical production efforts, business affairs, facilities, IT and general services. He will be based at Boomdog’s Mexico City offices and report directly to Rincon.

    “We are thrilled to have someone with Javier’s vast operational experience joining our team here at Endemol Shine Boomdog,” said Endemol Shine Boomdog CEO Alejandro Rincon. “He is the perfect executive to oversee our production efforts as we look to continue ramping up our programming output in 2021.”

    Lopez added, “I am so honoured to be part of the Endemol Shine family. I hope my experience and hard work can help Endemol Shine Boomdog accomplish its goals and continue growing as they have done so successfully in recent years.”

    For the last year, Lopez oversaw operations for Sony Pictures Television’s Teleset Mexico and was a member of Sony Pictures Television’s Latin America strategy committee.

    Previously, Lopez spent nearly 15 years at Televisa in Mexico, rising through the company’s ranks to his last role as director of finance and operations, entertainment, for Grupo Televisa. In that role, he led all TV rights and license negotiations, strategy and financial planning and oversaw the company’s annual production budget. Lopez also served in a variety of roles for Televisa International, including strategic planning coordinator from 2014-2016.

    Endemol Shine Boomdog currently produces such hit series as MasterChef Mexico (Azteca), Mira Quien Baila (Television/Univision), Quién es la Máscara (Televisa/Univision), Nicky Jam: El Ganador (Netflix), LOL (Amazon), Me Caigo de Risa (Televisa), Súbete a mi Moto (Amazon) and Tu Cara Me Suena (Univision).

    Boomdog is also home to Latin superstar actress Kate del Castillo (La Reina del Sur) who has an overall deal to develop, produce and star in original scripted and unscripted series with the studio. Acclaimed producer Gaston Pavlovich and his Mexico City-based production company Fabrica de Cine also have a development and production deal with the studio.

  • Filmlance acquires TV rights to Karin Smirnoff’s Jana Kippo trilogy

    Filmlance acquires TV rights to Karin Smirnoff’s Jana Kippo trilogy

    MUMBAI: Banijay has announced that scripted label Filmlance will adapt for television the critically-acclaimed Jana Kippo trilogy, penned by Swedish author Karin Smirnoff.

    The series of best-selling novels is set to be developed into a new Swedish drama with international potential.

    The producer is Anna Wallmark at Filmlance, who was behind the company’s most recent hit Top Dog, together with Teresa Alldén and Olof Spaak.

    The Jana Kippo trilogy has sold more than half a million copies in Sweden and has been translated in multiple European languages, including English.

    The story begins with Jana Kippo returning to her family village of Smalånger, moving into her childhood home to get Bror, her alcoholic twin brother’s life in order. The pair have a common childhood trauma and a death in the village takes a heavy toll. Maria was found dead in a forest glade and no one knows what happened, did she commit suicide or was she murdered? The longer Jana stays in her home village, the more she gets to know about both Maria and herself.

    Filmlance MD Hanne Palmquist said, “Karin Smirnoff is one of the most interesting Swedish authors around and we are incredibly proud to be working on what is sure to be a powerful, world-class television production. This unique story of love, betrayal, revenge and lust contains everything needed to create a gripping, exciting and constantly surprising drama.”

    Karin Smirnoff lives in Piteå, Sweden, and worked as a journalist before buying a wood factory. After a few years, she longed to return to writing and applied to Lund University’s writing school with what would become her debut novel I Went Down to My Brother, which was nominated for the August Prize 2018 for Fiction. The second book was published in the spring of 2019, and the third book in the spring of 2020.

  • Banijay retains Anne Van Sprang as HR lead

    Banijay retains Anne Van Sprang as HR lead

    MUMBAI: Banijay has confirmed that Anne Van Sprang will continue to lead its HR department as chief human resources officer. Based in Paris, she is the group’s global strategic departmental head, consulting on the company’s worldwide structure, operations and employee relations.

    Championing best practice, Van Sprang joined Banijay from Kering Group, where for two years, she was at the forefront of devising and implementing the business’ HR strategy, as well as overseeing the HR function for the technology and digital division across its 13-territory footprint. Prior to this, she was human resources director at Canal +, providing full HR support to the technical and IT division thus contributing to the digital transformation of the group. She has also held roles at TDF Group and Carrefour.

    A leading HR partner, Van Sprang has spearheaded Banijay’s integration with Endemol Shine Group, supporting chief executive officer, Marco Bassetti, and the global leadership team, in building a footprint comprising the world’s best creative entrepreneurs. Overseeing the department’s worldwide operations, she continues to collaborate with the footprint’s HR partners to combine teams and systems, and drive a joined-up, inclusive and responsible approach. 

    Marco Bassetti said, “Shortly after Anne joined us, we embarked on our acquisition of Endemol, and from the start, she has been a key player in the process. Guiding us on the integration and driving the successful merge of these two businesses, she has been an invaluable partner and voice in our biggest move yet. With her help, we are proud to be building one of the world’s most significant and innovative creative engines.”

    Anne Van Sprang said, “Talent has and will always be key to Banijay. Our creative community is at the heart of all we do and since the recent acquisition, we can categorically say we have 22 territories brimming with the most inspired minds in the business. And, with a great global HR team by my side, I am confident we can continue to attract, develop and retain the best talent in the content industry while driving new employee initiatives and best practice across our far-reaching operations.”

    Van Sprang reports to CEO Marco Bassetti in her new role.

  • Banijay retains Marie Schweitzer as chief strategy officer

    Banijay retains Marie Schweitzer as chief strategy officer

    MUMBAI: Banijay has announced that Marie Schweitzer will continue to remain as chief strategy officer. Schweitzer has been with the production house since its inception in 2008, and played a fundamental role in the merger with Endemol Shine group.

    In the newly scaled-up group, she will continue to report to CEO Marco Bassetti and oversee strategy, research and communications. In addition, she will also be responsible for Banijay’s overarching strategy and identify strategic expansion opportunities.

    Appointed to her current role in September 2016, Schweitzer joined the group during its launch as co-head of market research. Since then, she has held a number of positions across the business. Taking on strategy and business development more recently, she has been working with the executive team on M&A and growth opportunities, while leading the departmental heads within her wider remit.

    Prior to Banijay, Schweitzer was head of market research at Endemol France following several years in production.

    Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti said, “Marie has been with us since the start and is very much a key figure in the growth trajectory of the business. Aiding most recently on the complex acquisition and integration of Endemol, she has been at the forefront of our strategy and development, consistently balancing content expertise with entrepreneurial spirit. A valuable member of our exec team, she will now continue to work with us to effectively evolve and strengthen our global footprint for the future.”

    Marie Schweitzer said, “I have spent the past 12 years at the heart of a company that has gone from one territory to 22 and a few employees to thousands worldwide. It’s a proud moment to see the hard work paying off as we morph into the biggest unscripted player on the planet and with a host of super-brands to now call our own, a fantastic raft of talent and an unrivalled pipeline of premium IP, the opportunities are endless.”

  • Banijay appoints Dominique Farrugia to head France’s Endemol Shine Fiction

    Banijay appoints Dominique Farrugia to head France’s Endemol Shine Fiction

    MUMBAI: Dominique Farrugia is set to lead Endemol Shine fiction as managing director. He will take up the position starting 2 November 2020 and will now oversee all of the business’ scripted operations and pipeline of premium content.  Farrugia will report to Banijay France's chief executive officer, François de Brugada. In his new role at Endemol Shine Fiction, he will maintain his first-look agreement with STUDIOCANAL on any film projects from his production company, One Again. 

    Francois de Bragada said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome Dominique Farrugia as MD of Endemol Shine Fiction. His experience as a writer, director and producer will be invaluable in building a healthy slate of high-quality, original and ambitious scripted programming. His arrival bolsters Banijay France’s fiction offering and solidifies our position as a go-to for all genres.”

    Farrugia joins Banijay France’s production label from STUDIOCANAL, where he was deputy managing director. He has been with STUDIOCANAL since 2017. Beginning his career in radio at Europe 1 and RTL, he was recruited by CANAL at the time of its channel launch in 1984.

    Farrugia also co-founded the comedy quartet, Les Nuls, he then took up a position behind-the-camera, making seven films. In 2002, he became managing director of CANAL and its programming, before becoming President. From there, in 2003, he founded production company FEW (Farrudg Entertainment Worldwide) before signing a partnership with EuropaCorp in 2012 on feature films.  EuropaCorp then appointed him director in charge of its French-language output. 

    To date, EndemolShine Fiction has been recognised for its involvement in Papa ou Maman for M6; Mention Particulière for TF1; Guyanefor Canal+; Quadras for M6; Mental for France.TV Slash; Le Pont du Diable for France 3 and Faux Semblants for France 2.

  • Banijay names Jacob Houlind as Banijay Nordic CEO

    Banijay names Jacob Houlind as Banijay Nordic CEO

    MUMBAI: European production giant Banijay in a recent announcement has named Jacob Houlind as Banijay Nordic CEO. Houlind will oversee all operations across its portfolio of 24 companies, his remit spans Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the UK and US, following the recent expansion of Yellow Bird.

    Houlind has been Group CEO and co-owner of Nordisk Film TV since February 2006, selling the company to Banijay in 2009. He later took up the position of Group CEO of Banijay Nordic, as a result of the merger of former Nordisk Film TV in the Nordics and Zodiak Media.

    He will be at the forefront of managing the territory’s investment in creativity and content development. Finding, nurturing and developing talent, he will continue to build a home for the best creatives across the Nordics. And, together with Banijay and Banijay Rights, the Nordic division will focus on local and innovative IP with global appeal.

    Yellow Bird US a creative hotbed, produces some of the region’s biggest hits including Survivor, The Island, Fort Boyard, MasterChef, All Against 1, Best Singer, Big Brother, Luxury Trap, Biggest Loser, 71 Degrees North, The Wall, Paradise Hotel,All Together Now, Good Morningand Evening Denmark, Good Morning and Evening Norway, Millennium, The Bridge, Wallander and Netflix’s upcoming Young Wallander, Khalifate, Beck, The Restaurant and Sandham Murders.

     Following the completion of Banijay’s US dollar 2.2billion takeover of Endemol Shine in July, the Nordics portfolio now includes Norwegian outfits Mastiff, Nordisk Film & TV, Rubicon and Screen Media. In Sweden, its outlets include Meter, Jarowskij, Filmlance, YellowBird, STO-CPH, Factory and MAG5. Whereas in Finland, the group has Banijay Finland, EndemolShine Finland and Zodiak Finland. The Danish business includes Metronome, Pineapple Entertainment, Banijay Nordic Mobile and Respirator.

    The integration process is now in progress and is expected to be complete by the fall. Karin Stjärne will subsequently leave the business on 31 August 2020 having been CEO of Endemol Shine Nordics since 2017. While in the role, she built a successful operation, increased international format sales, secured a number of new titles including Family Food Fight, The Wall, The Heist and Lego Masters, and drove a number of returners such as Biggest Loser and Big Brother. Widening the footprint of MasterChef both in number of episodes, spin-off series and new productions across the Nordics, she also helped Norwegian label Rubicon thrive, supporting the sale of the first original Norwegian drama, Beforeigners, to HBO Nordic.

    Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti said,  “Jacob has long been a part of Banijay’s journey. An entrepreneur with a strong creative eye, he is an admirable leader, commercially astute and the best pair of hands to oversee what will be an even more significant region for us moving forwards. With scale, an immense portfolio of IP and some of the best talent in the business, we are excited to see what he and the team have in store for the future. In the meantime, I’d like to thank Karin for her efforts over the years in building up the EndemolShine Nordics portfolio and production offering.”

    According to Jacob Houlind Banijay Nordic has long been the home of some of the region’s strongest talent. Houlind is ecstatic to welcome a host of new creative entrepreneurs into the fold. He adds, “Combining the strengths of both groups and continuing a multi-brand strategy with a strong focus on creativity, I hope Banijay Nordic will long-continue to be a renowned home for the best creatives in the region – on and off-screen, and a home for IP that travels the world. A special thanks goes to Karin who has built a strong operation in EndemolShine Nordics and successfully put new and successful scripted, as well as non-scripted titles on the Nordic map.”

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  • Banijay appoints Peter Salmon and Lucinda Hicks as UK chiefs

    Banijay appoints Peter Salmon and Lucinda Hicks as UK chiefs

    MUMBAI: Endemol Shine UK CEO Richard Johnston, who looked after the merger of Endemol and Shine in 2015, is to step down following the recent acquisition of Endemol Shine Group.

    During his time as UK group CEO, he has driven an expansion strategy, overseeing years of consistent growth. Under his leadership, the UK group has seen growth across the board but notably within the scripted business, SVOD revenues and regional production. The business has also achieved industry-leading gender pay and diversity results.

    Banijay has appointed BBC Studios former director and Endemol Shine Group executives Peter Salmon and Lucinda Hicks as its UK chiefs. Salmon will lead Banijay UK as executive chairman, with former territory COO, Lucinda Hicks, by his side, taking up the post of CEO.

    Moving forwards, Salmon will oversee the company’s burgeoning portfolio of 25 unscripted and scripted production labels that also includes shows like MasterChef, Grantchester, Eat Well for Less, and The Island With Bear Grylls. Hicks will run the business’ day-to-day operations. In their new roles, the pair will work in unison to devise and implement the country’s integration plans in order to combine the entities by the end of 2020.

    Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti said, “The UK is now one of our biggest markets, with a plethora of multi-genre labels and an incredible catalogue that has travelled the globe. With this scale we needed robust leadership, which spanned both the creative narrative of the group, as well as the operational one. Already heavily engaged in the country’s business and tapped into much of its network, Peter and Lucinda were in a prime position to take the group through the next stage of its journey. Brimming with IP and some of the best minds in the business, I’ve no doubt Banijay UK, with them at the helm, will continue to be at the epicentre of devising original and innovative brands, which get the world talking. I’ll finish by thanking Richard for his incredible dedication, commendable service and significant hard work in putting the UK group and its labels in such great health.”

    Salmon said, “In Lucinda Hicks I also have a terrific partner – bright, hard-working and a lot of fun. Together, we are dedicated to building an inclusive and ambitious operation, where our teams have the support, direction and leadership they need but also the autonomy and freedom necessary to deliver the best ideas on the planet. The future here is very bright and given our producers have really shone throughout lockdown – they’ve been clever, innovative and resilient – I’ve no doubt we can go on to do great things together.”

    Hicks, who previously ran Endemol Shine producer Dragonfly was elevated to her role as COO in 2015. She said she was looking forward to working in an environment where there is a good combination of  tremendous talent, entrepreneurialism and IP all under one roof.

    She adds, “It has been a pleasure working with Richard over the last few years.  The power of our brands and the appetite for them globally has made ESUK such an exciting place to be, which is now bolstered further with more creative leaders and amazing IP. I look forward to working with Peter to build a combined creative portfolio renowned for its standout, world-class titles, driving innovation and originality and being at the forefront of positive change in the industry.”

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  • Banijay completes landmark deal to acquire Endemol Shine Group

    Banijay completes landmark deal to acquire Endemol Shine Group

    MUMBAI: Banijay today announced the completion of the acquisition of Endemol Shine Group, previously co-owned by The Walt Disney Company and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management Inc. The closed deal, which has been successfully approved by the relevant regulators worldwide in consultation with relevant employee representative bodies, sees the French-headquartered group scale up significantly to approximately 200 entities across 22 countries.

    The deal makes Banijay the largest international content producer and distributor, ramping up its distribution division, Banijay Rights, and building a catalogue of over 88,000 hours of multi-genre premium entertainment brands. Cementing a collective of the world’s best creative entrepreneurs and an abundance of first-class and new and innovative IP, the business, which retains its name, will act as a go-to for clients across all territories and genres. Total pro-forma revenue of the combined group for 2019 reached approximately €2.7 billion.

    As of today, Banijay represents a number of the world’s biggest brands and global formats including Survivor, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, Temptation Island, MasterChef, Wallander, The Kardashians, Mr Bean, The Wall, Hunted, Black Mirror, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Deal or No Deal.

    The combined group will be led by chief executive officer, Marco Bassetti, with Sophie Turner Laing stepping down from her role as chief executive officer of Endemol Shine Group. Turner Laing’s final day will be 10July.

    Bassetti comments: “The close of this unique deal represents the joining of two businesses built on entrepreneurialism, creativity and people. Aligned in thinking, and approach, we now stand together as the world’s largest international content creation and distribution group. Expanding our catalogue and investment in high-quality, multi-genre IP, extending our footprint significantly, and welcoming a number of new world-class creatives, we hope to become a go-to for clients, and home for the best talent to create the most innovative and fresh scripted and non-scripted programming. With newfound scale and increased strength in the industry, we are excited by the path ahead. I’d like to finish by thanking Sophie for her ongoing support and hard work in such a challenging year.”

    Turner Laing comments: “This deal bookmarks a creatively rich, commercially successful and relentlessly prolific five and a half years as Endemol Shine Group. It has been a real privilege and honour to lead such a talented and dynamic group of people, each of whom has played their part in, and should be proud of, our many collective successes over this time. As the start of an exciting new chapter in the company’s story, it is also the appropriate time for me to step down as CEO, and I wish Marco and his team the very best for the future.”

    The acquisition has been financed through a capital increase of Banijay Group and debt financing, and was combined with a full refinancing of the financial debt of Banijay and Endemol Shine. Deutsche Bank, Natixis and Société Générale acted as global coordinators and joint bookrunners and BNP Paribas and Bank of America as joint bookrunners on the debt financing. Post- closing, the combined group will be held by LDH (67.1 per cent) and Vivendi (32.9 per cent).

    LDH is a holding company controlled by Financière LOV (more than 52 per cent of the capital), Stéphane Courbit’s investment arm. LDH has the following other shareholders: the Italian Group De Agostini and Fimalac, the investment company of Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière. In addition to a direct investment in LDH, Fimalac has reinforced its long-term partnership with Financière LOV by increasing its stake in Financière LOV from 5.75 per cent to 8.4 per cent.

    Rothschild and PJ Solomon (a Natixis affiliate) acted as financial advisors to Banijay Group. Société Générale acted as financial advisor to Financière LOV. Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier and Kirkland & Ellis LLP advised Banijay Group in connection with the transaction. Deutsche Bank, Natixis, Société Générale, BNP Paribas and Bank of America underwrote the financial debt and were advised by Latham & Watkins AARPI.

    LionTree Advisors acted as financial advisor to Endemol Shine Group, including The Walt Disney Company and the Apollo funds, in connection with the transaction. Deutsche Bank acted as financial advisor to Endemol Shine Group in connection with the transaction. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP advised the Apollo funds and Endemol Shine Group in connection with the transaction. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP advised The Walt Disney Company in connection with the transaction. Hogan Lovells International LLP advised Endemol Shine Group in connection with the transaction.

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  • Banijay Group in 50:50 JV with Deepak Dhar for India ops

    Banijay Group in 50:50 JV with Deepak Dhar for India ops

    MUMBAI: French content powerhouse Banijay Group is setting up its operations for India and South East Asia in partnership with former Endemol India managing director Deepak Dhar.

    Dhar will hold 50 per cent equity in Banijay Asia as its founder-CEO for South East Asia operations. He will head the new business, leading content strategies, partnerships and alliances across the region, with a central focus on India. He stepped down as managing director of Endemol Shine India in December last year having previously held key positions at Star TV, Channel V and MTV.

    The new JV, Banijay Asia, will produce content across multiple genres, including digital and films for India and South East Asia. Dhar will lead business, content strategies, partnerships and alliances in the region, with India being central focus.

    “Creating innovative and engaging content has been a passion for me, and I am always on a lookout for challenging opportunities,” Dhar said in a statement. “Creating a strong foundation in Southeast Asia is the next crucial step for [Banijay Group] and I am excited to be helming this move.”

    Banijay is an independent content creation group for television and multimedia platforms. Spread across entities in seventeen territories, its library includes programming spanning genres like entertainment, drama, factual entertainment, kids and reality; all licensed internationally by its global distribution arm Banijay Rights. Some notable formats include reality television series Keeping up with the Kardashians, crime drama series Underbelly and ABC’s reality television program Wife Swap.

    Banijay Group COO Peter Langenberg said, “This is an extremely significant partnership for us as we continue to build our presence in India and South-East Asia, one of the most dynamic and burgeoning regions in the world. We are very excited about the wide-ranging opportunities Deepak’s experience and expertise will bring to the group.”

    “After my last role at Endemol, I was looking for an opportunity that could satiate my passion to create innovative and engaging content, while at the same time, have the potential to scale at multiple levels. This partnership with Banijay Group matches perfectly with what I was seeking,” Dhar said.

    Also Read:

    Deepak Dhar bids adieu to Endemol after a decade

    Abhishek Rege elevated as Endemol CEO