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: Jakob Feeney

  1. Yellow Bird Appoints Elin Kvist as VP/Creative Director

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    Swedish scripted company Yellow Bird, part of Banijay Nordic, today announces it is bolstering its senior management team, with Elin Kvist joining as VP/Creative Director. She will begin the position in January 2024.

    Kvist joins from Stockholm-based company FLX, where for three years she has held the post as Head of Drama. The label is behind numerous scripted series, feature films, non-scripted series, and commercials. Notable scripted successes include The Dark Heart, helmed by Gustav Möller, Blinded by Jens Jonsson, and Surburbia, directed by Henrik Schyffert. FLX is also set to release upcoming series Marked for Life, directed by Felix Herngren and Henrik Björn, The Breakthrough, directed by Lisa Siwe, and Stenbeck, helmed by Goran Kapetanovic. Prior to her time at FLX, Kvist spent six years at broadcaster TV4, rising to become Head of Development, Drama.

    Elin Kvist comments: “I’m incredibly excited to join Yellow Bird, which has always been a strong producer of high-quality and impactful drama in the Nordics. Whilst there is a lot happening in our industry, the company is well-positioned to continue creating powerful series and films, and to further ramp up the collaboration with the international creative community. I’m really looking forward to joining the next phase of the company’s growth and to achieve great things together with the team.”

    Jakob Feeney, CEO at Yellow Bird comments: “Elin’s appointment marks the next step in Yellow Bird’s evolution. There have never been higher expectations on us as producers, both from broadcasters and audiences across platforms, to deliver scripted content with a wide reach that leaves a lasting impact. With Elin joining Yellow Bird, she brings the energy and vision to elevate our scripted slate in Sweden and internationally to the next level.”

    Yellow Bird credits include a TV drama prequel to Jo Nesbø’s highly acclaimed, fast-paced corporate thriller Headhunters for CMore, a third run of crime drama Bäckström, as well as well-known hits Threesome and The Truth Will Out. Earlier successes include Millennium Trilogy, Occupied, Rebecca Martinsson and over 30 Wallanderfilms.

  2. Jakob Feeney Steps Up to Lead Yellow Bird Sweden

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    Banijay Nordic today announces new senior leadership at Swedish scripted label Yellow Bird, with Jakob Feeney stepping up to become Chief Executive Officer, taking up the role on November 1st.

    Feeney has been Head of Business Development at Yellow Bird since January 2022. Prior to his time at the company, he held numerous positions in the film and television industry, including CEO and COO at Film Finances Scandinavia, as well as senior roles at Bonnier Broadcasting and DLA Piper. He initially launched his career as a freelance film producer in 2006.

    At Yellow Bird, Feeney will oversee the company’s high-profile slate for the local and international market, and seek new business opportunities, leading the company’s team of in-house creative producers. He will report to  Banijay Nordic’s CEO, Jacob Houlind, and the region’s Head of Scripted, Johannes Jensen.

    Yellow Bird credits include a TV drama prequel to Jo Nesbø’s highly acclaimed, fast-paced corporate thriller Headhunters, which wlll launch on CMore next week, a third run of crime drama Bäckström, and second season of Threesome, which is currently on air, and fresh from a Kristallen win for Samuel Fröler as Best Supporting Actor on series two of The Truth Will Out . Earlier successes include Millennium Trilogy, Occupied, Rebecca Martinsson and over 30 Wallander films.

    Other recent deals include a co-production with Yellow Bird UK on forthcoming Netflix series Playlist, along with an English-language version of hit series The Truth Will Out, which will be developed in the US by Endemol Shine North America, with Emmy-winning director/producer Joe Berlinger attached to the project.

    Jakob Feeney comments: “With the ever-growing demand for Swedish content, plenty of projects in the pipeline, a portfolio of returning hits, and a brilliant team of in-house producers, there are significant opportunities ahead for Yellow Bird. I’m hugely excited to step up and lead the company into its next phase, futher growing the creative environment it is so well-known for.”

    Jacob Houlind, Chief Executive Officer at Banijay Nordic says: “During his time so far at Yellow Bird, Jakob has excelled in his role, bringing a huge amount of energy, and we’re looking forward to seeing him further build the business as CEO. I’m confident Jakob will expand Yellow Bird’s name as a major international scripted label, encouraging alliances with top creatives and script writers, collaborating with the best in the industry to produce high-end, premium drama for both linear broadcasters and streamers.

    Johannes Jensen, Head of Scripted at Banijay Nordic says: “Yellow Bird has an outstanding reputation across the region, and beyond, for producing a fanastic portfolio of local and international hits. Jakob is familiar with the business and we are thrilled to further foster his talent with this promotion, leading the team and reinforcing Yellow Bird’s position as a strong scripted label and market leader.”

    The wider Banijay Nordic group encompasses the region’s very best scripted labels, behind internationally-recognised drama and comedy. Recent and forthcoming credits from around the region include Fallen (Filmlance for CMore), Dance Brothers (Endemol Shine Finland for Netflix), Ronja the Robber’s Daughter (Filmlance for Viaplay), Countrymen (Rubicon for NRK), A Class Apart (Jarowskij in co-production with Brommamamma, Film I Väst and Nent Group for Viaplay), Detective Marie Kallio(Banijay Finland for CMore), and Filmlance’s long-running detective drama Beck (Filmlance for CMore).

    Feeney replaces current CEO Stefan Baron, who has decided to step down and leave the company. Baron first joined as Head of Business Development in 2018 and became CEO in November 2020.