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

Tag Archive: Marco Bassetti

  1. Screentime New Zealand Launches Remarkable Studios

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    Screentime New Zealand, part of content powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, today launches Remarkable Studios NZ. Based in Queenstown, a region known for its diverse landscapes and breathtaking backdrops, the unit will stand as the town’s largest wet weather cover and first studio facility. Spearheaded by the production label’s CEO, Philly Delacey, the all-new offering is set to transform television and film capabilities in the area, prompting local creative sector growth and employment.

    Famously used as the backdrop to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Queenstown has long been adored by producers for its rugged alpine landscape, pristine lakes, farms and historic towns. However, until now, producers had no option but to resort to Auckland for studio facilities in the territory, sending demand and costs soaring. In Remarkable Studios NZ, which stands within reach of the airport, Screentime NZ is finally offering a bespoke solution for crews both in New Zealand and beyond.

    Philly de Lacey, Chief Executive Officer, Screentime New Zealand comments: “Offering an unrivalled and diverse landscape, Queenstown has never struggled to attract filmmakers. However, without wet cover and studio facilities, it struggled to serve a whole production. In launching Remarkable Studios NZ, we are confident we will boost the region’s appeal beyond adrenaline tourism, driving creative economic uplift, and importantly, skills and jobs. With the local council’s strong support of the district’s film and television sector, we are proud to be delivering an ambitious first for this area and look forward to opening our doors to the world’s best content creators.”

    Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer, and Fred Balmary, Chief Business Officer, Banijay Entertainment comment: “Remarkable Studios NZ further demonstrates Philly’s entrepreneurialism, creative vision, and universal ambition. Standing as our tenth studios globally, but certainly first in a re-purposed department store, the groundbreaking facilities have emerged at the perfect moment – a time where production costs are soaring, and producers everywhere are looking for economical solutions. In Queenstown, producers now have the luxury of a multitude of locations, as well as a reasonable, fully functioning production complex. We have no doubt its popularity will serve positively for the region’s economic growth.”

    Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Glyn Lewers adds: “This news signals an exciting future for the film and television industry in Queenstown Lakes. Film has been an important contributor to our local economy for decades, thanks to our cinematic alpine locations, skilled crew base and welcoming communities. But having a dedicated film and television facility to add to that package will unlock more opportunities for our local industry. Screentime are also a key player in the New Zealand production community, so we’re thrilled that they’ve decided to establish a base here in our beautiful region.”

    Only five minutes from Queenstown airport, and close to a selection of hotels, Remarkable Studios NZ is based in the heart of a retail precinct. The fully sound-proofed 2300sqm studio is in fact a recently vacated, and re-purposed, department store. Rented by the Screentime NZ team for its five-month shoot on A Remarkable Place to Die – which is incidentally making its debut at MIPCOM ’24 – it boasts office areas, construction spaces, general facilities and a fully functioning loading bay away from the filming space. During its first production stint, the space carried four individual sets and held 150 production personnel, proving its capacity to house not only dramas, but films and entertainment offerings too.

    In hosting Remarkable Studios NZ, Queenstown can now be considered a primary production base for masses of productions rather than purely a location base or second unit shoot option. Currently reliant on its tourist-based industry, the town will now attract a higher creative footfall each year, broadening the regional screen base and stimulating employment.

  2. Banijay CEO Confirms Global Sports Drive

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, has today confirmed its intentions to trigger a significant push into the world of sport under the banner of new division, “Banijay Sports”. Building on the group’s existing capabilities, the business will now look to broaden its efforts in sportainment, documentary and digital, via new partnerships, content investments and M&A. The move, which will not venture into broadcast and streaming rights, was announced by CEO, Marco Bassetti, in a dedicated keynote at Content London 2023.

    With the sports industry rapidly growing, spearheaded by the monumental increase in the value of rights in this area (set to break $60bn in 2024), Bassetti cited the complementary nature of this genre to its content and distribution business, and the notable demand from clients, in the decision to launch the new department. The latest push will ramp up the existing efforts already in-play worldwide specifically with documentaries: That Peter Crouch Film (Workerbee for Amazon Prime Video), Human Playground (Scenery and Workerbee for Netflix), Tyson Bruno (Workerbee in association with Sky Studios for Sky), two seasons of La Leyenda de Sergio Ramos (Endemol Shine Iberia for Amazon Prime Studio), Warnie (Endemol Shine Australia, in association with VicScreen for Nine Network), Daum (Doc.Banijay, part of Banijay Productions Germany for Sky) and upcoming Four Kings (Workerbee for Amazon Prime Video).

    Elsewhere, Banijay Benelux plays home to leading Dutch sports player, Southfields, which delivers coverage, talk shows, documentaries and more, with highlights including All-in team Jumbo Visma for Amazon Prime Video. And, just this year, Banijay Iberia struck a deal to launch LaLiga Studios, a new sports-related content production company led by Chalo Bonifacino Cooke; and Endemol France acquired Puzzle Media, which is credited for long-running Riding Zone(14 years on France Télévisions). The latter follows additional label launches with sports stars Teddy Reiner, and Blaise Matuidi et Charles Villeneuve.

    Banijay CEO, Marco Bassetti, adds to his comments on-stage: “While we’ve already made some considerate moves in sport across our global footprint of talented producers, we wanted to concentrate our efforts in building value in this space. In having a centralised division, we have further capacity to deliver on partnerships, carve greater volume, mobilise digital opportunities, and ultimately, fulfil our ongoing goals to scale the group.”

    The news follows Banijay’s recent move into live events via Balich Wonder Studio, which specialises in institutional ceremonies, brand, and destination experiences. The ambition is Banijay Sports will also partner with the former to explore alternative content opportunities that capitalise on its expansive relationships linked to institutional ceremonies and large-scale sporting events.

    As Banijay ramps up its efforts in direct-to-consumer digital activity, sports will also give the business a direct route to significant fan bases and youth-skewing demographics.

  3. Banijay Unveils Banijay Branded Entertainment

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today unveils its all-new branded content department – Banijay Branded Entertainment (BBE). Overseen by recently appointed Head of Branded Entertainment Business Development, Carlotta Rossi Spencer, the division is tasked with further evolving the group’s global efforts in this space.

    Housed centrally within Banijay, BBE will leverage the group’s expansive global production expertise to deliver against brand briefs both at a local and global level. Tapping into worldwide ad, media, and event agencies, and liaising directly with brands, it will supplement traditional marketing offerings with powerful content that elevates their storymaking capabilities and aids them in bridging deeper connections with their consumers. In doing so, BBE aims to ambitiously expand the volume of opportunities year-on-year across the entity’s 21-territory footprint.

    Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Head of Branded Entertainment Business Development, Banijay says: “Crafted stories. Passionately told… BBE embodies the Banijay spirit and reflects our ambitions to drive up our activity in the branded content space. While we have some fantastic producers worldwide already dedicated to this area, we recognised the need to take a holistic approach to agencies and brands alike, and hope to inspire them to dream bigger and bolder, with content that creates powerful connections with their audiences.”

    BBE provides centralised support for Banijay’s teams creating branded content around the world – of which there are currently 11, varying from dedicated labels to immersed teams in multifaceted prodcos. Recent successes including Electric Robin’s Live Italian with Birra Moretti and Niall Horan’s Homecoming: The Road To Mullingar with Lewis Capaldi with Guinness, both for Prime Video; Banijay Italia’s Lindt Maître Chocolatier, which aired on TV8 in Italy; and the multi-territory Hairstyle The Talent Show with Alfaparf from Shine Iberia which has produced five local versions covering Spain, Italy, the U.S., Mexico and Brazil. In addition to the in-house production houses, the department will also partner closely with Balich Wonder Studio and Banijay Events on its brand-led activations to extend deal potential.

  4. Banijay Appoints Małgorzata Perkowska-Czaja as MD, Endemol Shine Poland

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    Banijay today confirms new leadership for its Warsaw-based outfit, Endemol Shine Poland, appointing Małgorzata (Gosia) Perkowska-Czaja as Managing Director. A leading local executive, she will be tasked with evolving the business’ slate, diversifying its offering to identify new revenue streams, and strengthening and innovating its commercial strategy to futureproof and bolster growth. In line with the hire, the label will now fall under the Banijay Germany group umbrella, with the role reporting to Endemol Shine Germany’s MD, Fabian Tobias.

    Endemol Shine Poland alumni Perkowska-Czaja joins from Rochstar, where she has spent a year as MD, responsible for devising and executing the label’s market and sales strategies to ensure a broadening of its client base. She also led on deal negotiations, format and film development, as well as commercial diversification and expansion. Previously, she spent seven years at Endemol Shine Poland, leaving as director of non-scripted sales. Here she oversaw the company’s slate of hit entertainment formats and super brand executions including MasterChef and its spin-offs and Big Brother for TVN; All Together Now and Family Food Fight for POLSAT; The Wall (and international hub) and Don’t Forget the Lyrics! for TVP; and Fort Boyard for Viaplay, as well as branded content and commercial deals for a number of its titles.

    Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay comments: “A formidable leader, Gosia joins Endemol Shine Poland with an impressive track record in the local and international content space. With a breadth of experience spanning production and commercial strategy, complimentary values, and familiarity with Banijay and the company’s local team, she is very well-equipped to fulfil our ambitions in the Polish market, and I am sure under her stewardship we will see the label and its slate thrive.”

    Małgorzata Perkowska-Czaja comments: “Endemol Shine Poland has built a reputation for high-quality entertainment, and re-joining the business as MD, I am looking forward to exploring new opportunities to diversify the slate and build on its performance in all genres. While the market is challenging right now, I have no doubt that via innovation and creativity, we can capitalize on new technologies and avenues for growth, cementing the company as the region’s number one and go-to for clients.”

    In addition to her most recent roles, Perkowska-Czaja served for seven years as Head of Development and Sales, and producer for Golden Media/Mastiff Media Poland, having spent between 2004 and 2008 as production manager at Endemol Poland/Endemol Netherland – her first stint at the company. A varied career spanning leading global brands, she has also held a number of freelance positions, as well as posts for Reuters, VRT, CNBC and TVP. In addition to her professional credentials, she occasionally lectures at the National Film School in Łódź.

    The news follows Ryszard Sibilski’s decision to step down from the business.

  5. Banijay UK Appoints Leon Wilson as CEO of Shine and Zeppotron

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    Ex Talkback and Thames Managing Director and Co-Founder of Great Scott Media, Leon Wilson, has been appointed by Banijay UK CEO Patrick Holland as CEO of Shine and Zeppotron.

    This announcement follows the news earlier this month regarding Shine TV’s Managing Director Jon Swain’s decision to step down from his role at the end of the year.

    This overarching, executive role is tasked with the management of Shine, developing and broadening the range of its original IP, as well as overseeing its established slate including BBC’s MasterChef super-brands, Hunted and Celebrity Hunted and new Channel 4 streaming hit, Banged Up.

    Leon will work with Creative Director Tim Whitwell, MasterChef Executive Producer David Ambler and the wider Shine team as the company continues to expand across streamers and broadcasters within factual, reality and entertainment.

     Meanwhile, Zeppotron Managing Directors Ruth Phillips and Peter Holmes will work closely with Leon as they push into the streamer market and establish their exciting new slate of comedy/ents/reality formats to sit alongside their existing much loved brands such as BBC One’s Would I Lie to You? and Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

    Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said of the appointment; “As well as being a brilliant creative, Leon has phenomenal amounts of energy, enthusiasm, and insight.  I’m so delighted that he’s chosen Banijay for the next chapter of his impressive career and I know that the teams in Shine and Zeppotron will benefit greatly from his expertise.”

    Leon Wilson added; “I can’t wait to start in this new role and work with the fantastically talented teams at Shine and Zeppotron. I love prisons, being hunted, eating, lying and four fifths of cats … as well as winning new commissions. It’s literally a dream come true.”

    Leon was Managing Director of Talkback, followed by Managing Director of a combined Talkback and Thames between 2013 and 2019.

    During this time, he consistently grew the businesses’ turnover and won a raft of new business;  creating, selling and overseeing shows including Too Hot to Handle (Netflix), Harry’s Heroes: The Full English (ITV1), multiple Leigh Francis projects (Celebrity Juice, Through The Keyhole, and The Keith & Paddy Picture Show), Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow (ITV), Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Worrier (Dave) and Your Face or Mine (Comedy Central).

    Most recently, Leon founded Great Scott Media with Ed Sleeman backed by All3 Media. The indie quickly grew a yearly turnover to £14m, with commissions including Love Trap (C4) and 10-part Netflix reality series Dated & Related. Earlier in his career, Leon worked on The Graham Norton Show, Dame Edna, Fantasy Football and The Friday Night Project.

    Leon takes up the role at the end of the month and will report to Patrick Holland.

  6. Banijay UK acquires leading scripted producer The Forge

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    Banijay UK today announced its acquisition of leading scripted independent producer, The Forge.

    The Marriage, Help and Becoming Elizabeth producer, which has a well-established reputation for high quality, ambitious and award-winning TV drama, joins the Banijay UK stable of companies with immediate effect following completion of the acquisition deal.

    The Forge currently has multiple, high profile new titles for both linear and SVOD platforms in production, including a major, 8 part series The Buccaneers for Apple TV+, due to launch globally on November 8; 4 part Disney + series Shardlake by Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom) due to release next year; factual drama about the Grenfell disaster by Peter Kosminsky (Undeclared War, Government Inspector, Wolf Hall) for BBC One;  youth-skewing drama series for BBC Three that will film next year and Generation Z, a six part series and the first original TV project from Ben Wheatley (The Meg II, Sightseers, Kill List) currently shooting for Channel 4.

    This acquisition will bolster Banijay UK’s scripted output and bring the number of scripted labels under the Banijay UK umbrella to nine including wholly owned labels Kudos, Tiger Aspect and Wild Mercury.

    Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said of the deal; “I have been a massive admirer of The Forge since its inception. George Faber, Mark Pybus, Beth Willis and George Ormond have together grown one of the most ambitious and exciting drama slates in the UK. With a commitment to the most distinctive authorship, a desire to make shows of the highest quality and a creative commitment to make drama that appeals to broad audiences. The Forge is an extraordinary group of talented producers. We are so delighted that they have chosen Banijay UK as their partners for their next chapter of growth and can’t wait for them to join the other brilliant companies in the group.”

    George Faber, Founder of The Forge added; “We’re thrilled to be going into partnership with Banijay, a company whose culture and values feel like a great fit for The Forge. We’re ambitious for the next stage of our growth and we believe that Banijay’s superb distribution arm, production expertise, management team and global reach will help us chart an exciting path to the future.”

    The Forge boasts an impressive slate of titles including National Treasure (C4), Ackley Bridge (C4), The Miniaturist (BBC), Kiri (C4), Help (C4), Marriage (BBC), Becoming Elizabeth (Starz), Collateral (BBC), Rules of the Game (BBC), Roadkill (BBC) and many more.

    They have collaborated with writers Jack Thorne, Anya Reiss, Stefan Golaszewski, Katherine Jakeways, Ayub Khan Din, Ben Wheatley, David Hare, Peter Moffat, Levi David Addai, Janice Okoh and Stephen Butchard amongst many others.

    The Forge also has a reputation for showcasing some of the industry’s leading talent and has worked with Jodie Comer, Stephen Graham, Sarah Lancashire, Sean Bean, Nicola Walker, Carey Mulligan, Hugh Laurie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Babou Ceesay, Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters. Upcoming series, The Buccaneers stars a number of widely popular actors including Kristine Frøseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Aubri Ibrag and Imogen Waterhouse, alongside Christina Hendricks and Mia Threapleton.

    The company has picked up a wealth of awards for its programmes, including the BAFTA for Mini-Series (National Treasure) and the International Emmy for Best TV Movie (Help).

    This deal includes a first look deal for Banijay Rights.

    The Forge’s senior creative team include Founder and Managing Director, George Faber, Mark Pybus (Executive Producer/ Head of Business Affairs), Beth Willis (Executive Producer) and George Ormond (Executive Producer). Their collective experience and stellar track record make them trusted partners for top writers, directors, agents, and broadcasters alike.

    Faber, having run single drama at BBC for several years, co-founded Company Pictures producing the likes of Shameless, Wild at Heart and Skins before setting up The Forge. Mark, also previously at Company Pictures, has a background in Business Affairs but has also produced a raft of high-profile shows including Wolf Hall for BBC.  In her role as Head of Drama at Channel 4, Beth commissioned The End of the Fucking World, Humans, and No Offence before joining The Forge;  George Ormond was previously an Executive Producer at the BBC, where he developed a raft of shows including BBC’s 2016 adaptation of War and Peace. He also produced Sarah Phelp’s Bafta and Emmy award winning Great Expectations.

    The Forge were advised by Tom Manwaring at Helion Partners.

  7. Banijay Unveils Global Accelerator Program Banijay Launch to Support Emerging Women Unscripted Creators

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today launches a brand-new global accelerator program, designed to exclusively support women creators with promising unscripted formats. Unveiled at a prestigious breakfast in Cannes for MIPCOM 2023, Banijay Launch is geared towards discovering and incubating untapped talent, to support the next generation of global franchise makers.

    Initiated by Sharon Levy, Chief Executive Officer, Endemol Shine North America, and co-led by James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development at Banijay, Banijay Launch will provide a selected women mentorship by Banijay’s global collective of creatives to aid them in developing bold new formats from concept to pitch to sale, thereby supercharging the group’s burgeoning pipeline.

    Conceived as an enterprise-level strategy to address gender inequity and fuel creativity, Banijay Launch will seek out undiscovered formats with international appeal, from an incredible pool of undiscovered women across the globe, providing a new opportunity for Banijay to further diversify both its talent and IP worldwide.

    Banijay Launch was inspired by the Propelle program, a female-focused accelerator initiative created and developed in 2020 by Everywoman Studios’ CEO, Abby Greensfelder. With Levy and Endemol Shine North America partnering for two consecutive years with Everywoman Studios and Realscreen on the program, the pair have established a long-standing working relationship. Greensfelder consulted on the creation of Banijay Launch and will join the judging panel for the initiative’s inaugural year.

    To support the program, Banijay Americas has commissioned a first-of-its-kind study with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, in partnership with Everywoman Studios. The institute is the only global data-driven, non-profit that researches diversity, equity, and inclusion onscreen in media and entertainment to mitigate unconscious bias, while fostering inclusion, and systematically reducing negative stereotyping. The ground-breaking study will investigate women’s inclusion in creative leadership roles in unscripted production across four distinct territories: Brazil, the U.K. and U.S., and one EU territory to be determined.

    Entries are now OPEN at www.banijaylaunch.com.

    How it works? Banijay will first select the top three to five finalists who will be mentored by a local creative (names disclosed in notes to editors) to develop their formats, with the aim of nurturing them to screen. The competition will culminate with a live pitch presentation before a judging panel led by Levy and Townley. Fellow judges include Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay; Pilar Blasco, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Iberia; and Abby Greensfelder, Founder and CEO of Everywoman Studios. A winner will be crowned during London Screenings 2024.

    Sharon Levy, CEO, Endemol Shine North America comments: “As a group, Banijay is constantly exploring new ways to support the broader content community, diversify its pipeline and ultimately, sharpen its creative edge. With an undisputed track record of travelling IP, expansive cross-territory network of first-class producers, and industry-leading unscripted infrastructure led by Creative Networks, the business is primed to open its doors to yet-to-be-discovered creative minds. Through Banijay Launch, and the partnership with the Geena Davis Institute, we hope to welcome women creators who may be struggling to have their voices heard, setting a new narrative for the industry, and fostering the next generation of break-out unscripted formats.”

     

    Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay comments: “We are proud at Banijay to have over 50% of our managerial positions globally filled by women. However, we recognise the landscape has not always supported this demographic of creators in breaking through. With Banijay Launch, we are vested in spearheading a raft of new unscripted format ideas, ideated by women, and in doing so, we hope to bring new voices and talent to the market, with the potential of creating the next Survivor, MasterChef, or Big Brother…”

    The initiative will capitalise on the infrastructure and expertise of Creative Networks, Banijay’s central unscripted content department co-led by Townley and Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations.

  8. Cris Abrego and Eva Longoria Join Forces to Launch Hyphenate Media Group

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    Leading entertainment executive and entrepreneur Cris Abrego and celebrated director, producer, and activist Eva Longoria announced today that they have formed a new media holding company and premium content studio, Hyphenate Media Group. The new venture will invest in creator-led enterprises as well as develop and produce its own slate of original programming. Abrego will serve as the CEO of the company, and Longoria will serve as its Chief Creative Officer. Media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, led by Chairman Stéphane Courbit and CEO Marco Bassetti, where Abrego has served as Chairman of the Americas since 2020, has made a strategic investment in the new business to accelerate its growth.

    The announcement was made by Abrego and Longoria during a dedicated keynote at MIPCOM Cannes: The Future of Content: What Comes Next?

    Collaborators for twenty years, Abrego and Longoria have identified a number of creator-led enterprises with proven leadership and the potential to scale and will dedicate the initial phase of Hyphenate Media Group’s growth to building out its portfolio of partners. As the industry finds itself at an inflection point, Hyphenate offers an alternative model, supporting creator-entrepreneurs as they build their own production companies and develop a slate of projects to sell independently. The new venture will drive the creative output and deal-making capacity of each partnered company through capital investment, brand development, and the collaborative advantage and infrastructure provided by Hyphenate’s core leadership team.

    With an eye towards capturing the rapidly evolving marketplace, which is driven by an ever younger and more diverse audience, Hyphenate Media Group will leverage its co-founders’ commitment to address the industry’s urgent demand for ground-breaking premium content with an inclusive approach and broad appeal. As a destination for visionary multi-hyphenate creator-entrepreneurs, Hyphenate is poised to provide the entertainment industry with a business solution by enabling a multiplicity of connections to audiences around its different brands.

    To jumpstart its own independent studio function, Hyphenate Media Group has acquired the full slate of UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, the independent production label founded by Longoria in 2005 and behind titles such as Telenovela, Grand Hotel, and Searching for Mexico. UnbeliEVAble Entertainment projects will be folded into the core operations of the new business, with Hyphenate taking over and advancing the entire lineup as well as developing new scripted and unscripted programs. Its first title, Apple TV+’s Land of Women, is expected to be released in 2024. Both Abrego and Longoria will produce exclusively for the new company, and all television projects directed by Longoria will be produced under the new banner.

    Abrego and Longoria are currently in negotiations with several key executives and anticipate announcing their leadership team later this year.

    Cris Abrego, Co-Founder and CEO, Hyphenate Media Group: “With Hyphenate Media Group, Eva and I are building an engine for culture-defining content by investing in visionary multi-hyphenate artists and providing these extraordinary creative leaders with the resources and infrastructure they need to scale their businesses. Through capital, brand development, and the leadership provided by Hyphenate, we will drive their creative output, enhance their deal-making capacity, and grow their brands, building franchises driven by original IP. Over the course of my career, I have scaled multiple production studios, starting with my own and, more recently, on behalf of Banijay. I have known Stéphane and Marco for many years, and I am grateful to count on their support and investment in this next chapter.”

    Eva Longoria, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Hyphenate Media Group: “With Hyphenate Media Group, Cris and I are leveraging the power of the creative industry’s greatest resource, the multi-hyphenate, to help meet audiences and the industry where they are. We are answering the industry’s call for premium inclusive content with broad appeal and an undeniable point of view. Our intention is to provide greater financial participation for makers, creators, talent, and entrepreneurs – the Hyphenates. Given the multiple transformations that our business is undergoing, I cannot think of a better time to lean into makers, who are the essential drivers of the creative enterprise.”

    Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay: “Hyphenate Media Group is a studio with a truly unique perspective. Combining Cris’ standout creative leadership with Eva’s reputation as a celebrated producer, director, and activist, this is a powerful home where multi-hyphenate voices can truly tell inclusive mainstream stories. And, with an ambitious vision, unrivaled credentials, and an impressive growth trajectory, this marks the perfect first strategic investment for us in the U.S. scripted market; a space we’d explored for some time but never, until now, found the right fit to cut through.”

    Renowned as an entrepreneur, entertainment executive, award-winning producer, showrunner, and philanthropist, Abrego serves as Chairman of the Americas for media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay. He previously served as CEO of Endemol Shine Holdings, where he grew the company aggressively by scaling several acquisitions under its banner, including Endemol Shine Boomdog, Endemol Shine Brasil, and Truly Original. As co-founder and CEO of 51 Minds Entertainment in 2003, Abrego was one of the pioneers of the celeb-reality genre with breakthrough unscripted formats such as The Surreal Life and the many spin-offs it generated. He grew that company from its boutique beginnings to be a major unscripted studio acquired by Endemol five years later. Abrego also serves as Chair of the Television Academy Foundation, the charitable pro-social arm of the Television Academy, and as a member of the Executive Committee for the Television Academy.

    Celebrated globally for her breadth of work in front of and behind the camera, Longoria founded production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment in 2005, soon after her breakthrough onscreen role on Desperate Housewives. The prolific company has since been behind hits including Grand Hotel (ABC), Telenovela (NBC), the Emmy Award-nominated documentary Reversing Row (Netflix), and the celebrated culinary docuseries Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico (CNN), distributed by Banijay Rights and available at MIPCOM 2023. Named by Variety as one of its “Directors To Watch” in 2023, Longoria made her feature directorial debut with the critically and audience-acclaimed Flamin’ Hot, released earlier this year by Searchlight Pictures on Disney+ and Hulu. The film was Searchlights Pictures’ most streamed premiere ever. Longoria also directed and produced the Sundance-premiered and critically acclaimed documentary La Guerra Civil, chronicling the historic bout between boxing legends Oscar de la Hoya and Julio César Chávez, which will be released by DAZN in 2024. A dedicated philanthropist and activist, she has consistently lent her voice to a range of key issues, including diversity and inclusion in the media, Latina entrepreneurship, and STEM education.

    Cris Abrego remains Chairman of Americas for Banijay alongside his role of Co-Founder and CEO, Hyphenate Media Group.

    About Hyphenate Media Group

    Led by entertainment executive and entrepreneur Cris Abrego (Co-Founder and CEO) and celebrated director, producer, and activist Eva Longoria (Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer), Hyphenate Media Group is a new media holding company and premium content studio that aims to capture audiences through ground-breaking and culture-defining content.

    In addition to developing and producing its own slate of original scripted and unscripted programs, Hyphenate invests in creator-led production companies, scaling these enterprises through capital investment, brand development, and the infrastructure and collaborative advantage provided by Hyphenate’s core leadership team.

    To jumpstart its own studio function, Hyphenate acquired the full slate of UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, the independent production label founded by Longoria in 2005 and behind titles such as Telenovela, Grand Hotel, and Searching for Mexico. Hyphenate’s first title, Apple TV+’s Land of Women, is expected to be released in 2024.

    About Banijay

    Launched in 2008, media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, is home to over 130 production companies across 21 territories, a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 180,000 hours of original standout programming, and a complementary live entertainment business – Banijay Events.

    Imagining and delivering high-quality, multi-genre IP that was born locally and travels globally, the business offers the best stories told the best way, and represents some of the biggest global brands in the market including Survivor, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, MasterChef, Rogue Heroes, Marie Antoinette, Mr Bean, Love Triangle, Hunted, The Summit, Black Mirror, Blow Up!, and Starstruck among others.

    Built on independence, creative freedom, collaborative entrepreneurialism, and commercial acumen, the company, operates under the direction of Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti. It is under his leadership, the business has grown to reach €3.2bn in revenues and €472m in EBITDA for 2022.

     

  9. Banijay Rights to represent music documentary features The Musical Mind: A Portrait in Process and My Name’s Ben Folds, I Play Piano

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    Banijay Rights today announces it has the global distribution rights to theatrical feature documentary The Musical Mind: A Portrait in Process and feature concert film My Name’s Ben Folds, I Play Piano, as MIPCOM 2023 gets underway this week.

    Both films come from powerhouse South Australian team of Oscar-nominated director Scott Hicks and celebrated producers Kerry Heysen and Jett Heysen-Hicks, with their world premieres set for this month’s prestigious Adelaide Film Festival.

    The Musical Mind: A Portrait in Process explores the power of the musical brain. Inspired by the 25th anniversary of his movie Shine, director Scott Hicks reveals the creative process of elite international musicians, with unprecedented access to their private worlds, processes, and obsessions. The film Shine is the linking device between four musicians /contributors: David Helfgott (subject of the original movie), celebrated musician Ben Folds, Australian rock star Daniel Johns, and Simon Tedeschi, who was hand double for the young David in the original movie.

    My Name’s Ben Folds, I Play Piano is a symphonic concert spectacle featuring Emmy award-nominated composer and rock maestro Ben Folds with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The film offers unique coverage of the rock pianist including the remarkable creation of a new song from scratch, live onstage, via audience participation when Folds achieves the extraordinary feat of inducing the crowd to sing a choral refrain in three-part harmony.

    Both documentary features are Beyond May 30 Entertainment productions in association with Banijay Rights.

    Cathy Payne, CEO, Banijay Rights, said: “These are two unique and highly entertaining premium documentary features that showcase world class musical talent and the inner workings of their craft. Both are excellent additions to our MIPCOM line-up and we’re in no doubt they will be highly sought after by international buyers in Cannes.”

    Scott Hicks added: “I’m delighted to be working with Banijay Rights on the release of my latest music-based documentary features, celebrating superstar musicians in their private worlds and exploring their unique creative processes.”

    Both features join Banijay’s outstanding slate of titles at MIPCOM including documentary highlights Four Kings (w/t) and Moulin Rouge: Yes We Can Can, as well as The Other Mrs Jordan, Sharon and Ozzy: Home to Roost, Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson. These autumn highlights complement the 172,000 hours of globally renowned, stand-out IP within Banijay’s catalogue.

     

    Visit us at C.20 in front of the steps of the Palais des Festivals.

  10. Banijay UK Partners with Creative Access to Launch Professional Development Programme for Under-Represented Freelancers

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    Banijay UK has partnered with Creative Access to offer a bespoke, year-long professional development programme aimed at TV freelancers from historically underrepresented communities who have previously worked at Banijay labels.

    The scheme, which is aimed at mid-level freelance staff progressing through the creative industries, will offer training, networking, support and workshops.

    During the twelve months, focus will be on areas including: developing leadership skills, owning mistakes and building confidence, building resilience & managing work life balance and financial literacy. Successful applicants will also be mentored by a senior industry professional for six months.

    Bella Lambourne, Director of HR & Operations for Banijay UK, said: “It’s an incredibly challenging time for the TV freelance community, and we are acutely aware that people from historically marginalised communities are often at a particular disadvantage. Banijay UK is committed to providing support and opportunities to those in the industry who need it, and we very much hope the scheme will help people develop invaluable skills and gain further experience.”

    Bibi Hilton, CEO Creative Access, added: “We’re thrilled to be teaming up with industry powerhouse Banijay. We all know that freelancers in the broadcast industry are all too often the lifeblood and the lifesavers of TV and film organisations. They’re the flexible extra resource we bring in when the workload suddenly increases and there’s no time (or budget) to hire; bringing with them incredible specialist skills to transform output, they’re the crew on a TV production set who make mind-blowing, award-winning work and in a lot of cases are quite literally the entire workforce. And yet, as our data shows, many employers are not treating their freelancers in this way. Access to career development programme such as this can and should be transformative for.”

    Applications close on September 24. Full details on eligibility can be found here https://opportunities.creativeaccess.org.uk/jobs?search=Banijay+UK&jobId=21422

  11. Banijay France Unveils Management Team

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    Banijay France, part of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, today announces its new management team, with Sébastien Petiot and Delphine Plantive joining the leadership team as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Editorial Strategy and New Business respectively. Both roles are effective from 1st September, and report to Alexia Laroche-Joubert, the local holding’s recently appointed President and Chief Executive Officer.

    As COO, with President and CEO, Laroche-Joubert, Petiot will be responsible for defining Banijay France’s strategy, and supporting all 15 labels within the French portfolio, which produce a diverse line-up of over 2,670 hours of programming each year. Most recently, he spent six years with ITV Studios France, where he left as COO, having begun his career at TF1 as Head of Non-Scripted and Artistic Director. He joined ALP in 2006, where he held the position of Managing Director for eight years, working on local versions of Banijay’s Wife Swap and Survivor (Koh Lanta) before leaving for ITV Studios.

    Meanwhile, Plantive will steps in as Director of Editorial Strategy and New Business. In this new position, hermission is to ensure the smooth editorial co-ordination of all Banijay France’s companies, which will include initiating partnerships, and bringing onboard new talent and business opportunities for labels within the company. Her remit also includes supervising the market research, audience, and monitoring team within the local holding. She steps up from ALP, where she has been Director of Creation, Development and Diversification since 2011, and prior to that, she spent eight years as Director of Development at Endemol.

    Alexia Laroche-Joubert, President and CEO Banijay France says: “Sébastien and Delphine bring extensive industry experience and knowledge to their new positions, and these skills will be invaluable as we strive to meet our common objectives: to deliver outstanding growth, with a strong content offering across all platforms, and to foster the best possible support for our producers, creatives and labels. These appointments cement my vision for the future of Banijay France, and I’m excited for the successful future ahead.”

    Banijay France is home to a diverse range of non-scripted and scripted labels, producing across all platforms and linear channels. Their portfolio includes new original content for the French market, as well as adaptions of Banijay’s global formats. Labels within the Banijay France footprint include, for entertainment: Adventure Line Productions, Air Productions, Banijay Productions France, DMLS TV, Endemol France, H2O Productions, KM Production and Tooco. And in scripted, Banijay Studio France, Shine Fiction, Fiction’Air, Marathon Studio, Terence Films, Montmartre Films and Screen Line Productions.

  12. Banijay France Announces New Leadership Team at Adventure Line Productions

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    Banijay France, part of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, today announces new senior leadership at ALP, with Frédéric Lussato, promoted to President and Julien Magne becoming Managing Director. Both roles are effective from 1st September in line with Alexia Larouche-Joubert’s promotion to CEO, Banijay France.

    Lussato, who previously served as Managing Director, ALP, has been upped to CEO, while Magne has been promoted from Director of Programmes to Managing Director. Together, they will lead ALP’s strategic operational strategy, using their expertise to further develop the company’s pipeline of new and returning hits, like TF1’s Koh Lanta (Survivor), on-air for 20+years; and France 2’s Fort Boyard, which has enjoyed a 30+ year run to date.

    Alexia Larouche-Joubert, CEO of Banijay France says: “After seven years by my side, the choice to promote Frédéric and Julien within ALP was a natural one. I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved working together, expanding ALP’s offering while maintaining a commitment to quality and broad audience engagement.  Their complementary skills, deep knowledge of ALP’s programmes, and grasp of industry challenges will enable ALP to retain its unique know-how and storytelling in adventure entertainment and all related genres. I am confident Frédéric and Julien will further build and amplify our efforts, and I look forward to seeing the company expand under their leadership.”

    Frédéric Lussato, President of ALP says: “This new role is a fantastic chance to further enhance ALP’s capacity for innovation, strengthening all areas of the business.  I’m committed to meeting the latest industry challenges and the ever-evolving expectations of our clients and partners, and I’d especially like to thank Alexia for her trust, as we take the company through its next phase of growth.”

    Julien Magne, Managing Director of ALP says; “I’m hugely excited for this opportunity to further contribute to ALP’s growth, a company whose thriving culture is recognised in France and beyond. With the support of an exceptional team, I am dedicated to maintaining our reputation for delivering excellence in all programming, especially adventure entertainment, and continue the drive to diversify into streaming.”

    Lussato became CEO of ALP in 2016, having previously served as Managing Director of AB Groupe. He has held numerous senior roles including General Secretary at NRJ 12, when the channel launched, and Deputy Director, Television Development at Pathé group. Meanwhile, Magne joined ALP in 2013 as Director of Programmes and is also the producer of Koh Lanta (Survivor). He comes from a journalist background, working at France 2 and TF1, and in his career, has also produced a number of political and social documentaries.