Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Creative Director

  1. NL Film Appoints Sabine Brian as MD and Diederik Van Rooijen as Creative Director

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    NL Film, a Banijay company, today announces new senior leadership structure with Sabine Brian taking up the post of Managing Director and Diederik van Rooijen of Creative Director.

    Diederik van Rooijen, the TV and film director of hit NL Film series, Penoza, will start his new role in March, where he will be jointly responsible for the development and sales of new drama series and films.

    In his new position, Van Rooijen will work closely with Sabine Brian, who has been promoted to Managing Director. Formerly a producer at the company, her recent credits include The Resistance Banker, Stanley H, Commandos and Penoza: The Final Chapter. Joining Brian in the management of NL Film is Ronald Versteeg, who will continue his role as Business Director. Together, they are responsible for the daily running of the production company.

    Former Creative Director Kaja Wolffers leaves the company after more than ten years to pursue a role at Amazon Prime.

    Sabine Brian, Managing Director NL Film comments: “Diederik is incredibly talented, a creative jack-of-all-trades, in both development and production, and he is a great addition to the team. Having previously worked together, I see huge opportunity for us to develop more high-quality series and films for different target groups, channels and platforms. Kaja played a major role in positioning NL Film as a quality international producer and we wish him all the best in his new role at Amazon Prime. After ten fantastic years working with Kaja, I look forward to growing NL Film, together with Ronald, both here in the Netherlands and internationally.”

    Diederik van Rooijen, Creative Director NL Film comments: “I am really looking forward to embarking on this adventure together with Sabine and Ronald, in addition to developing NL Film’s portfolio within the Dutch and international market. No guts, no glory has always been my motto and I want to prove projects can never be too original and creative. Nowadays, films and series are available all over the world, so it is even more important to distinguish yourself with creativity.”

    In addition to recruiting Diederik van Rooijen, Boudewijn Rosenmuller, currently working as Creative Producer at NL Film, has been appointed Head of Development.

  2. Neale Simpson Takes Lead Role at RDF’s Fizz

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    Banijay UK today announces Creative Director of Fizz, Neale Simpson, is to take reins at The Crystal Maze and Tipping Point entertainment label. Tasked with growing the business and its output, he will step up to lead all development, production and operations.

     

    Having been with RDF for nine years and founded Fizz just under five years ago, Simpson has most recently been central to the UK productions and international roll-out of The Crystal Maze and Shipwrecked. In his new capacity, he will act as Executive Producer across all the label’s titles, while concentrating on expanding the entertainment label through a fresh development drive and streamlined approach to production.

     

    As Creative Director, Simpson is also set to further collaboration with umbrella brand RDF’s factual team across all genres. In a bid to build on Fizz’s success to date, and foster a strong and diverse slate, he will encourage cross-pollination across the two teams, while triggering a recruitment drive to attract new development talent.

     

    Alongside Fizz’s operations, the Creative Director continues to oversee the ongoing partnership with Nice One Productions. Since the co-development/production deal was signed last year, Simpson and the Northern Irish company’s Founder and Creative Director, Chris Jones, have worked up a strong pipeline of content, which resulted in the recent commission of Fight Dirty, a feel-good fact-ent format for BBC Three. A further commission announcement will follow in the coming weeks.

     

    Simpson continues to report to RDF’s MD, Jim Allen.

     

    Jim Allen comments: “Anyone who has worked with Neale knows he is infectiously enthusiastic, wildly creative, hugely committed and, only occasionally, quite tiring. He has done a brilliant job building up Fizz and leading from the front. Neale hasn’t got a backward step in his repertoire and we are lucky to have such an inspirational entertainment leader.”

     

    Neale Simpson comments: “Working with the immensely talented team at Fizz and RDF, and antagonising Jim, is a daily privilege. I’m delighted, and relieved, that no one has stepped in to end it all just yet. I’m very excited about the announcements we’ll be sharing soon and to see what new entertainment adventures we can create next.”