Banijay Americas CEO Ben Samek announced today that he has appointed Joe Kaiser Chief Financial Officer of Banijay Americas. In this role, Kaiser will report directly to Samek overseeing all financial, IT, and human resources operations for the enterprise and its subsidiary companies across two continents. Kaiser will work closely with Banijay’s overarching global finance team.
Kaiser succeeds Paul Jennings, who announced his retirement earlier this year following a distinguished tenure with both Banijay Americas and Endemol Shine. Jennings first joined the companies as CFO of Endemol Shine USA in May 2012 and then expanded his areas of oversite to include the Banijay companies in the U.S. and Latin America following Banijay Entertainment’s acquisition of Endemol Shine Group in 2020. Jennings will provide consultation to Kaiser and Banijay Americas through December 2024 to ensure a streamlined transition.
“Kaiser brings with him a wealth of experience from a distinguished 15-year career at the Walt Disney Company and his most recent role at Condé Nast. He has steered the financial operations of complex enterprises like ours, and he will be instrumental in the success of our entire company, helping to drive the growth for each of our labels and ensuring the operational efficiency of our holdings. I am thrilled to welcome him to our executive team,” said Samek. He added, “I’d also like to extend my deepest gratitude to Paul Jennings for his invaluable contributions to Banijay Americas and for his friendship over many years. Together, we shaped a financial framework that was crucial in supporting our expansion, driving the company’s evolution as a global leader.
Joe Kaiser shared, “I am thrilled to be joining Ben, the Banijay Americas team and the global finance community at Banijay. With 10 labels delivering top content across various territories and languages, the Americas are a global leader positioned for continued growth in ever-evolving markets. I look forward to working with Ben and our label leaders to maximize their profits, as we continue to leverage new opportunities for investment and expansion.”
With over 20 years of experience in strategic finance, FP&A, and business development across sectors such as Film & Television, Streaming, Digital Video, Licensing, and Corporate Finance, Kaiser is a proven leader in brand management and growth. At the Walt Disney Company, he spent 15 years driving innovation, managing multi-billion-dollar P&Ls, and helping launch Disney+ into one of the world’s top streaming platforms. Most recently, at Condé Nast, he led financial performance and business development for more than 20 global brands. Kaiser holds an MBA from USC and a BA from UC Berkeley.