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Tag: Marco Bassetti

  • Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

    Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

    MUMBAI: Marco Bassetti, the no-nonsense chief of Banijay, is set to receive the prestigious Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes this October. Known for helming global smashes like Survivor and Peaky Blinders, Bassetti will be honoured on 13 October during a keynote conversation at the Palais des Festivals.

    The award—jointly presented by Variety and Mipcom—recognises television titans who’ve reshaped the global entertainment business. And few have done it with as much panache (and profit) as Bassetti.

    “Marco Bassetti is one of the most entrepreneurial, visionary and impactful television executives of our era who has led Banijay Entertainment to be the world’s largest production and distribution group through his championing of creativity, independence, and innovation,” said Mipcom Cannes & Mipcom Junior director Lucy Smith. “It is our privilege to partner with Variety to recognize his achievements in front of the global TV industry at Mipcom Cannes and to hear his insights on wider opportunities, developments and trends globally, which as a true vanguard, are always invaluable.”

    Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton said “Banijay has proven to be one of the most dynamic of the super indie content groups to emerge on the global stage.” She added: “Under Marco Bassetti’s leadership the company has delivered strong results and ambitious slates. We are happy to present him with the Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom 2025 for his contributions to this ever-growing industry.” 

    Strong and ambitious are understatements. In 2024, Banijay racked up a staggering €3.3 billion in content business and posted an EBITDA margin of 15.8 per cent. While already ruling the unscripted kingdom, Bassetti now has scripted squarely in his sights—with the company eyeing €1 billion in scripted revenues for 2025. The pipeline includes Carême (Shine Fiction for Apple TV+), Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight, and a much-hyped Peaky Blinders film for Netflix.

    If that wasn’t enough, Bassetti’s been on a shopping spree: acquiring Caryn Mandabach Productions (home of Peaky), Fábrica, The Forge, and Balich Wonder Studios (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022), plus stakes in Hyphenate Media Group, Conker Pictures, Rabbit Track Pictures, and Lenny Henry’s Esmerelda.

    The award will be the crowning moment of C-Suite Conversations—a Mipcom-Variety initiative helping top execs decode the chaos of today’s content world.

    Mipcom Cannes runs 13–16 October. And with Bassetti centre stage, the festival’s finale promises to be nothing short of blinding.

  • Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti to deliver a keynote address at MIPCOM Cannes

    Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti to deliver a keynote address at MIPCOM Cannes

    Mumbai: RX France (formerly Reed MIDEM) has announced that Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti will give a keynote address at MIPCOM Cannes, happening between 17 and 20 October.

    As the CEO of the biggest independent content producer and distributor in the world, Bassetti is in charge of a growing operation that spans 22 countries, more than 120 production companies, and a library that includes Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, Survivor, and MasterChef, in addition to the upcoming blockbuster films “Rogue Heroes,” “Blow Up,” “Starstruck,” and “Marie Antoinette.”

    Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti said, “After three years away, we are proud to be back in Cannes with over 200 of our global talent in tow. MIPCOM always stands as a momentous occasion for our business, and I look forward to taking the time to share more about our current strategy and the trends we are recognising across the globe. So much has changed for us since we were last here, so it will be great to fully reconnect with the market and introduce our scaled-up group officially.”

    It will take the stage on the second day of the market as part of the agenda-setting Media Mastermind keynote series, which features eminent global executives and TV industry creatives speaking from the renowned Palais des Festivals stage.

    The discussion will include Bassetti’s observations on both the overall industry trends and the strategy of the world’s producers and distributors.

    MIPCOM Cannes and MIPJUNIOR director Lucy Smith said, “MIPCOM Cannes is back and supersized this year. Hearing from the man at the helm of what is now one of the world’s largest independent production groups couldn’t be more appropriate. We look forward to warmly welcoming Marco back to Cannes and back to the Grand Auditorium stage.”

    The 38th International Co-production and Entertainment Content Market will feature exhibitors from over 45 nations, including the biggest studios and platforms in the world of TV. The highly anticipated market is expected to draw over 10,000 delegates in total.

    The Seaview Producers Hub, an inaugural 1,000 square metre networking lounge and event space set against Cannes’ iconic sea view, is also being added for MIPCOM Cannes in 2022. It was introduced to reflect the market’s increased focus on exploring early-stage development, co-production, financing, and funding partnerships.

    With screenings of eagerly anticipated series and exclusive trend insight presentations alongside the keynotes, the weeklong MIPCOM Cannes conference programme helps define the TV industry’s year.

    Diverse, inclusive storytelling and mentoring will continue to be at the heart of the MIP mission and will be emphasised throughout the programme and market.

  • 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.”

  • Takis Candilis returns to Banijay as senior adviser

    Takis Candilis returns to Banijay as senior adviser

    MUMBAI: Banijay has welcomed former head of scripted Takis Candilis back to the business as it looks to expand its investment in the genre. Candilis has returned in the capacity of senior advisor and will drive up co-production and new IP opportunities across southern Europe.

    In recent months, Banijay, which operates 120 production entities across 22 territories, has upped its operations and talent in the scripted space. 

    During his previous stint at Banijay, Candilis was charged with expanding international activity in scripted programming. He left the global producer-distributor in 2018 to take on the role of deputy managing director of broadcast and programming at France Télévisions. There, he spent two years supervising programming and editorial strategy for the group’s national channels.

    Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti said: “While unscripted continues to be at the core of Banijay, we have undoubtedly amplified our scripted efforts through the latest acquisition. Teaming our increased ambition in the drama space with the ample opportunity in the market, we are sure, with Takis, we can further grow our international pipeline and strategically drive up southern European owned-IP for our catalogue.”

    Takis Candilis added: “What a difference two years makes… Banijay was always an inspiring, ambitious and ultimately creative business but over the past few months it has rapidly expanded and become a leading player in the scripted space. It’s a great time to be returning as the group continues to innovate and I look forward to working with the team to identify original premium IP projects and collaboration opportunities across southern Europe.”

    Having started his career as an independent producer, the entrepreneur has also held leadership roles at TF1, Lagardère Entertainment, Tara Productions and Caméras Continentales. As senior advisor, Candilis will partner closely with CEO, Marco Bassetti, and the group’s core leadership team.