There’s been a shake-up in the executive ranks and management structure of Big Brother producer Endemol in the past few weeks. Former Group COO and Endemol France CEO Virginie Calmels recently announced her departure with Martha Brass later named as her replacement at the Group level. Last week, Olivier Gers stepped down as CEO of the commercial division, Endemol Worldwide Brands. The company today says it has established a new Group Commercial Board, made up of a selection of senior execs from across the group, to replace the Endemol Worldwide Brands division and more closely integrate commercial and creative activities. Here’s the release:
Endemol, the world’s largest independent TV and digital media production company today announced a reorganisation of its commercial and global brands business.
A newly created Group Commercial Board comprising senior Endemol executives from around the world has been established in place of Endemol Worldwide Brands (EWB).
Former EWB Regional Director, International, Branco Scherer has been promoted to the new Board as Executive Director, Commercial Affairs. His role will be to liaise and coordinate with Endemol’s commercial teams around the world and to ensure that ideas and information are shared across the Group.
Scherer reports to Lucas Church who becomes Chair of the Group Commercial Board in addition to his ongoing role as CEO of Endemol UK. Further appointments to the new Board from across the company will be made in the near future.
Former EWB executives based in Endemol’s offices around the world will now report directly to local Managing Directors in each territory whilst working closely with Branco Scherer and his team. The reorganisation mirrors Endemol’s creative structure and more closely integrates the company’s commercial and creative activities, giving greater control to the Group’s local operations around the world.
Tim Hincks, President of Endemol Group comments: “Our aim with these changes is to continue expanding our day-to-day commercial business locally whilst sharing ideas across the Group about the big opportunities for Endemol in today’s fast changing global market.”
Endemol’s recent commercial projects include partnerships with YouTube for specialised channels in European territories; an online play along game for hit format The Money Drop, which has so far had over 18 million players across 15 territories and over 30 million games played; an iPhone game for blockbuster format Wipeout, which ranked for three weeks as number one premium app on the iTunes app store in the US; and a wide range of digital brand extensions and onscreen product placement deals for shows such as Deal or No Deal and Big Brother.
