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: Marcus Wolter

  1. Banijay Media Germany appoints Christian Nienaber Co-Managing Director

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today confirms the appointment of Christian Nienaber as the new Co-Managing Director of creative and marketing agency, Banijay Media Germany. Effective April, Nienaber will be working alongside long-standing Managing Director of Banijay Media Germany, Ingrid Langheld, as they jointly take charge of the agency’s business areas: House Of Brands, House Of Likes, and House Of Rights.

    Nienaber joins from TV and video analytics specialists, “all eyes on screens” (aeos), where, as Chief Commercial Officer, he was responsible for sales, marketing and partnerships. Prior to his time at aeos, he held various management positions at RTL Deutschland, RTL ZWEI, and Saatchi & Saatchi, where he was site manager for the southern German agencies.

    In his position as Co-Managing Director at Banijay Media Germany, Nienaber will succeed Daniel Durst, who joined Banijay Media Germany in April 2021. During Durst’s tenure at Banijay Media Germany, alongside Ingrid Langheld, he was instrumental in leading the restructuring of the label as a digital and marketing strategist within the Banijay Germany network.

    Marcus Wolter, CEO and Co-Founder, Banijay Germany comments: “Banijay Media Germany stands for innovation and strong, individually-staged brand experiences. Many thanks to Daniel, who has significantly contributed to the successful repositioning in the market and the expansion of our digital offering. Christian will continue to drive this forward in the future together with Ingrid – we warmly welcome him to Banijay Germany.”

    Ingrid Langheld, Managing Director, Banijay Media Germany adds: “I would like to thank Daniel for the invaluable strategic support during our realignment and for the positive collaboration we’ve shared. As a result, we have created a healthy foundation for the ongoing growth of our businesses, and the expansion of our customer portfolio. I am looking forward to working with Christian, a recognised industry expert, whose expertise will strengthen Banijay Media Germany.”

    Christian Nienaber adds: “I am thrilled to become part of the Banijay Media Germany team. Together with Ingrid and the strong team already in place, we will continue to exploit and expand the potential of the extremely successful TV brands and personalities, as well as the resulting cooperation opportunities with strong brand partners.”

    Banijay Media Germany is the creative marketing agency of Banijay Germany. It designs, produces, and distributes, brand experiences for customers across all media genres and platforms. Operating within three divisions, House of Brands, House of Likes, and House of Rights, it is an expert in branded entertainment, digital storytelling, content distribution and community building.

  2. Sony Pictures Television Germany Re-Brands Under Noisy Pictures As It Joins Banijay Germany

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    Leading producer/distributor, Banijay, today announces that the planned acquisition of Sony Productions Film und Fernseh Produktions GmbH Germany (Sony Pictures Television Germany) from Sony Pictures is complete. Following customary closing conditions, Banijay Germany has secured 100% stake in the company.

    Founded in 1995, the label will operate under a new guise, Noisy Pictures GmbH, with Astrid Quentell and Mirek Nitsch remaining in position. The company is behind an impressive slate of shows including the award-winning Die Höhle der Löwen (Dragon’s Den), ZDF crime series Heldt, and thriller, Gefährliche Nähe (TVNOW/VOX).

     Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany comments: “Sony Pictures in Germany is known for high-quality scripted titles, a strong catalogue, and successful unscripted productions like Die Höhle der Löwen. On this foundation, we have every faith that the Noisy Pictures team will be another hit-maker in the Banijay Germany family.”

    Astrid Quentell, Managing Director of Noisy Pictures says: “We are thrilled to be part of Banijay. Looking to the future, we want to maintain the strength of our independent label, with continuity in our productions on the one hand, and fresh impulses derived from creative exchanges across the new family on the other.”

    Founded in 2018 by Marcus Wolter and Banijay, Banijay Germany GmbH now comprises over 20 independent labels and is the country’s leading entertainment engine, developing, creating, and producing a hugely diverse array of formats across all genres, and for all clients. Popular titles include Tatort Dresden, Schlag den Star (Beat the Star), TV Total, Wer wird Millionär? (Who Wants to be a Millionaire?), Kitchen Impossible, The Masked Singer, Promi Big Brother (Celebrity Big Brother), Mein Lokal, Dein Lokal and Kampf der Realitystars (Battle of the Reality Stars), as well as live shows like 1Live Köln Comedy Night XXL and Nightwash, numerous podcasts and comedy platform MySpass.de.

  3. Nico Rossmann Joins Banijay Germany’s Brainpool TV

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    Banijay today announces Nico Rossman will join Brainpool TV GmbH, part of Banijay Germany, as the Co-Managing Director, where he will be responsible for overseeing a new comedy unit within the label. He joins the management team alongside Brainpool CEO, Marcus Wolter, and Co-Managing Director, Godehard Wolpers.

    Rossmann is a TV producer with a passion for entertainment. Joining from RTL Television, where he was Head of Comedy, he developed and oversaw shows including Ninja Warrior Germany and Frei Schnauze, as well as the stage shows for comedians such as Carolin Kebekus, Sascha Grammel, Chris Tall, and the Ehrlich Brothers. Prior to RTL Germany, he held positions at Tresor TV and Norddeich TV.

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany and CEO Brainpool says: “Nico is an excellent creator of comedy and entertainment formats. I am very pleased that he has accepted the role of Co-Managing Director for Brainpool. With Raab TV, Godehard Wolpers and Nico, we will be ideally positioned to build on our comedy offerings, big shows, and relationship with artists. Welcome, Nico!”

    Nico Rossmann adds: “In my opinion, Brainpool is Germany’s number one comedy brand, with decades of entertainment experience. It also operates to the highest standards and is incredibly innovative. That’s why I’m very pleased to help shape the future of this successful label, both on the production side and in the development of future hit formats alongside the outstanding team. My thanks go to RTL Germany, especially Markus Küttner, for six great years in the TV entertainment department.”

    Brainpool TV, founded in 1994, is a leading production company in Germany. It boasts an impressive slate of titles including Beat the Star, Catch!, Ladykracker and the Free European Song Contest.

  4. Banijay Germany’s SR Management Strengthens its Music Division

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    Banijay today announces SR Management, part of Banijay Germany, will launch SRM Music. Chris Klimek will lead this new division and report to SR Management Managing Director, Sascha Rinne.

    SRM Music will take over the operational business for all music-relevant artist management areas, as well as build up the division’s booking, publishing, and label sources. In addition to the management of artists Giovanni Zarrella, Mike Leon Grosch, and Ramon Roselly, the company will welcome new pop artists and offer personalised representation strategies.

    Klimek brings extensive experience as a passionate music industry expert and artist manager, having previously worked at BMG Köln, Roadrunner Records, earMUSIC/EDEL, and Ivy Quainoo/The Voice of Germany.

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany says: “With the expansion of SRM Music, we are strategically building on our offering within this important entertainment space. Combining the power of our Banijay family, Sascha’s team, and Chris, we are well placed to create successful careers for artists.”

    Sasha Rinne, Managing Director of SR Management comments: “At SRM Music, we want to expand our management expertise and are very pleased that Chris, an established and respected entertainment professional, will take the helm for this task.”

    Chris Klimek, Head of SR Management Music adds: “I am very much looking forward to this challenge and thank Sascha and Marcus for their trust! The set-up at SR Management GmbH and Banijay Germany is unique, and my focus for all our music artists will be to utilise our concentrated entertainment know-how as synergistically as possible, in order to deliver a professional, creative and successful environment.”

    Banijay Germany is an association of independent entertainment producers and entrepreneurs. Made up of 20 labels, the entity is behind numerous well-known brands including Celebrity Big Brother, Schlag den Star, Battle of the Reality Stars, Temptation Island, Tatort Dresden, The Masked Singer and, Kitchen Impossible.

  5. Shona Fraser Appointed Managing Director of Good Times

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    Banijay Germany today announces a new leadership structure at Good Times, with entertainment producer and joint Managing Director, Shona Fraser, appointed to solely lead the company, working in partnership with Chief Operating Officer Knut Kremling.

     

    Shona Fraser has an extensive industry reputation for entertainment programming, having established Battle of the Reality Stars, Love Island and Naked Attraction in the German market. She has held posts in entertainment, development and programming at RTLZZWEI, and served as an Executive Producer at RTL Studios, Tresor TV and MME, where she was responsible for Popstars and Next Top Model Germany.

     

    Shona Fraser, Managing Director of Good Times says: “Together with the strong Good Times team, I am looking forward to creatively shaping the future of this production house, working closely with colleagues at Banijay. I’m a true fan of the exisiting portfolio, and want to fully develop its potential, as well as exploring new exciting ways to captivate audiences with a fresh slate of programmes.”

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO and co-shareholder of Banijay Germany says: “Over the years, Good Times has been built into a unique creative company, and without a doubt, the success will continue with Shona at the helm. She is a TV visionary, bringing innovation and originality to all her programme-making, and the company has a bright future ahead.”

     

    Shona Fraser replaces Good Times founder, Sylvia Fahrenkrog- Peterson, who is leaving the company. She founded the label in 1998, positioning it as a producer of daytime brands and prime-time hits such as Mein Lokal, dein Lokal, Der Trödeltrupp and Armes Deutschland. In 2019, the then independent company was acquired, and its 150 employees were integrated into Banijay Germany. Shona Fraser, who will take over the reins, was bought  in recently to bolster the management of the business.

  6. Banijay Germany Enters Joint Venture with influence.vision

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    Banijay Germany announces continued growth in the tech and influencer realm via new partnership with influence.vision.

    As the largest independent producer of TV, digital and live content in Germany, Banijay Germany aims to further professionalise influencer marketing by combining its high-quality storytelling and talent relationships, with influence.vision’s technology, platform and content creator expertise.

    Founded in 2017, the Austrian start-up is an all-in-one solution for influencer marketing, present in three territories with customers throughout Europe. To date, influence.vision has connected over 1000 brands and content creators on a common platform. It has implemented campaigns for numerous brands including Dyson, NordVPN, Universal Pictures, and refurbed, and also offers individual campaign consulting and integrated reporting to measure conversion and campaign goals. The start-up is completely agnostic to social media and works with creators across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Podcast, and Facebook.

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany says: “influence.vision is the best platform to connect brands with influencers and therefore, a great fit for us to build on our offerings in this important space. The brand’s marketplace is a consistent, and strategic addition to our ecosystem, and in Florian and Branko, we have two smart, highly talented young entrepreneurs. I am very much looking forward to collaborating with them to shape the content creator economy of the future.”

    Branko Markovic, Co-Founder & Co-CEO influencer.vision: “As a fast-growing tech start-up, the market in which you operate is crucial. Internationally, influencer marketing is currently estimated at $16.4 billion and is growing by 40% annually. It is our ambition to set the industry standard, and a global business like Banijay is the perfect partner for this.”

    Florian Bösenkopf, Co-Founder & Co-CEO influencer.vision: “The exciting thing about this partnership is that we have a common vision with Banijay that is very unique in the current influencer market. Influencers and content creators are more than just pure reach, they are digital storymakers in their own right. The group and its creatives have been helping to shape the zeitgeist of our society for many years, and as a tech player, we can use it to connect the best content creators and artists under one brand and develop the most creative concepts for advertisers.”

    Banijay Germany is an association of independent entertainment producers and entrepreneurs. Made up of 20 labels, the entity is behind numerous well-known brands including Celebrity Big Brother, LEGO® Masters, Schlag den Star, Battle of the Reality Stars, Temptation Island, Tatort Dresden, The Masked Singer and, Kitchen Impossible.

  7. Banijay Germany’s Labels Expand Their Teams

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    Banijay Germany today announces a series of appointments and moves across its local entities, with Panagiota Vafea joining Endemol Shine Germany as Executive Director and Tom Kühn as Executive Producer; and over at Good Times, Shona Fraser will join Sylvia Fahrenkrog-Petrsen as joint Managing Director, with Creative Director, Cornelia Landgraf, promoted to Deputy Managing Director.

     

    Vafea joins Endemol Shine Germany’s Management Team from ITV Studios Germany where she was Executive Producer, overseeing hit shows including Dancing on Ice and long-running German formats, Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus! and Grill den Henssler. She will be responsible for a wide variety of formats, including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, LEGO® Masters and Beauty and the Geek. Endemol Shine Germany also welcomes Executive Producer Tom Kühn to the family, following 18 years at i&u TV production where he produced ARD’s popular Saturday evening show, Klein gegen Groß. Prior to that, he was a journalist for Stern TV.

     

    Elsewhere, Good Times welcomes Shona Fraser as joint Managing Director, alongside Sylvia Fahrenkrog-Petersen. In her previous role as head of entertainment at RTLZwei, Fraser was responsible for hit formats such as Battle of the Reality Stars, Love Island and Naked Attraction. The company also announces the promotion of Cornelia Landgraf to Deputy Managing Director. In her new role, Landgraf will work closely with MDs Fahrenkrog-Petersen and Fraser, having been with the label for 15 years, as an editor, in development, and most recently as Creative Director.

     

    Fabian Tobias, Managing Director of Endemol Shine Germany says: “Panagiota is a trusted award-winning producer and a valuable asset to our Management Board. We also warmly welcome Tom to the Endemol Shine Germany family who brings his wealth of TV expertise to the company. With our strengthened team, we are ideally positioned in the market to further drive success for our existing and upcoming projects and will continue to be at the forefront of shaping the industry.”

     

    Sylvia Fahrenkrog-Petersen, Founder and MD of Good Times says: “Shona is one of the most experienced television creators in the industry and is the perfect person to join Good Times as we expand our portfolio in the areas of reality and entertainment. I am also delighted to continuing working with Cornelia. She is a passionate television producer, with a keen sense of what makes a good story and I am grateful for her years of loyalty and dedication to Good Times.”

  8. Banijay Germany Partners with Stephan Denzer to Found Fiction Label, Good Humor

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    Banijay today announces the 1 November launch of a new label to its portfolio, Good Humor. The co-founded entity sees Banijay Germany CEO, Marcus Wolter, bring former editorial director for comedy and cabaret at ZDF, Stephan Denzer, back to television. Based in Cologne, the comedy fiction label will be headed by the latter as managing director and executive producer.

     

    Good Humor will focus its output on humorous fiction formats, from comedy series and sitcoms, to comedies and sketch shows. Commencing as a start-up, the business will look to organic growth via the wider power of the Banijay group and its capacity as a world-leading distributor, with the ultimate goal of enriching comedy output in Germany and beyond.

     

    From July 2019, Denzer was head of the Mainzer Kleinkunstbühne Unterhaus. Previously, he headed the Cabaret and Comedy division at ZDF within the “Show” editorial department. There for ten years, he was at the forefront of establishing a host of successful comedy brands. Under his leadership, he created the Heute Show, Neues aus der Anstalt, Sketch History, and comedy fiction formats like Merz gegen Merz, Nix Festes and Ellerbeck. From 2016, Denzer was also responsible for all comedy formats on ZDFneo and 3Sat in addition to those for ZDF’s main schedule.

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany comments: “Stephan Denzer has decisively shaped the comedy successes of ZDF for over 15 years. Standing for quality, he certainly knows his way around sitcoms and comedy series. With his creativity and experience, we believe Good Humor will be a resounding success in Germany and look forward to the new partnership.”

     

    Stephan Denzer: “We believe good humour is important in a time full of challenges, in order to give us joy and thus strengthening our resilience. With the backing of Banijay, we want to create formats with relevance, originality and a lot of love, in order to perhaps bring a little more lightness and laughter to the world and hope to find partners who share this vision.

  9. Banijay Productions Germany Establishes New Documentary Unit, Doc. Banijay

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    Banijay Productions Germany GmbH confirms it has expanded its portfolio into documentary series with new label, Doc.Banijay. The new entity is set to be led by Executive Producer Marc Schlömer, who reports to Banijay Productions Managing Director, Arno Schneppenheim.

     

    Marc Schlömer has spent 20 years at broadcaster ARD as a Bundesliga football league commentator, and as the author of documentaries including Das Leben ist ein Hauch. During his time there, he was awarded a German Television Award for his reports for WDR magazine, Sport Inside. Schlömer is also known for addressing climate change and socio-politics topics, having produced projects for ARD-Weltspiegel and Swiss Television. These are areas which he will continue to tackle through the Banijay-backed Doc unit.

     

    Schlömer is renouncing his participation as a reporter at the Olympic Games but will maintain his broadcasting roles for ARD at the European Football Championship. Additionally, he will continue to contribute to Sport Inside and the online series, “No Sports!?”, for WDR.

     

    Other genres, including Factual, Reality and Comedy will continue to be led by Banijay Productions Germany’s Creative Director, Katrin Heller.

     

    Marc Schlömer: “For me, the fact that I get the chance to co-found and build a docu-department within Europe’s largest production group is an honour. I am grateful to the ARD managers for allowing me to step back from upcoming tasks in the summer so that we can get started straight away at Banijay Productions Germany.”

     

    Arno Schneppenheim, Managing Director of Banijay Productions Germany: “I have long been interested in the genre of journalistic documentation and with brilliant talent such as Marc leading, we have the perfect expert to create this new arm within Banijay Productions Germany.”

  10. Banijay Germany Launches New Label, Banijay Live Artist Brand

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    Banijay Germany confirms new label Banijay Live Artist Brand (BLAB), led by Managing Director Ingrid Langheld, with Daniel Durst joining the management from July 1, 2021.

     

    Banijay Live Artist Brand will focus on the strategic promotion of established artists and young talent, the development of live formats, and the creation and production of digital entertainment content. The label will produce for broadcasters, platforms, streamers and audio providers, and will house a digital content unit to produce originals for its own platforms, as well as distribute original podcasts. Banijay Live Artist Brand operates its own comedy digital distribution channel, MySpass, which already reaches more than 14.5 million followers and up to 220 million monthly video views on social media.

     

    Building on years of know-how, Banijay Live Artist Brand is set to develop content with all of Banijay Germany’s companies, in close co-operation with Brainpool, Endemol Shine Germany, Good Times, Banijay Productions, MadeFor and the artist management labels. A 360° license evaluation of Banijay’s extensive catalogue will attract fans and viewers to the programme brands.

     

    Ingrid Langheld, former Managing Director of Brainpool’s live artist and brand division, will be joined by Daniel Durst to lead the division. Durst comes from Bertelsmann, where he worked on new product strategies as Chief Product Manager. He has previously held positions at Axel Springer, including Head of Strategic Product Development, Product Director of Upday and Director, Consumer Products of BILD and WELT.

     

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany: “Banijay Live Artist Brand brings the unique opportunity to establish future-oriented entertainment brands and artists with the entire backing of Banijay Germany. Ingrid’s team of experienced and talented marketing, digital and live production experts can guarantee artists and brands maximum attention on all high-reach media platforms. ”

     

    Ingrid Langheld, Managing Director Banijay Live Action Brand: “I’m looking forward to taking the company to the next level with my team, and to creating extraordinary entertainment worlds for brands on all platforms, with our artists, partners and colleagues from Banijay. With Daniel as Co-Managing Director, we have a proven digital strategist and I am excited to shape the future together with him. “

  11. Banijay Germany and Sascha Rinne Management Form Joint Venture

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    Banijay Germany is strengthening its group of independent entertainment companies by taking a majority stake in SR Management GmbH. Founder Sascha Rinne remains on board as managing director and co-shareholder.

     

    The SR Management GmbH has an impressive portfolio of talent from the world of entertainment. Presenters, entertainment/comedy, sports & lifestyle are among the core areas of the agency. In addition to talent management, the company has been increasingly focusing on the production of its own content for the past two years. Since 2018, its own content team, led by Tobias Holtkamp, has been designing exclusive formats and series for various brands, media providers and online platforms. Under the label “Podcastbande”, SR Management produces The Pochers Here for Audio Now. For the Cologne Sharks, the multi-part ice hockey documentary Unter Haien was created,which is now in its second season.

     

    This new venture supports Banijay Germany’s ethos of partnering with like-minded, independent and entrepreneurially-managed companies. It will combine the relevant producers and media companies which Sascha Rinne and his team work with, with the range of TV formats, development, digital marketing and live expertise that Banijay Germany has available across its entities.

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany:“Sascha has been synonymous with the sustainable, strategic development of artists’ careers for many years. He has built up a powerful, well-connected and positioned talent agency. I am very pleased that he has now decided to partner with Banijay.”

     

    Sascha Rinne, GF SR Management: “The entertainment industry has changed a lot in recent years and we have set ourselves the goal of innovating our agency with it. We see the partnership with Banijay not only as a step, but as a leap into the future. We will now offer our partners and customers an even stronger network – at all levels. Personally, I am very happy to have found the ideal partnership with a big player like Banijay, which on the one hand, significantly strengthens us and on the other, allows us to continue to operate independently.”

  12. Banijay Finalises Structure in Germany

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    Banijay today confirms Marcus Wolter will lead its German operations following the recent acquisition of Endemol Shine Group. As Banijay Germany’s CEO and Co-Partner, he will oversee the country’s portfolio of companies which include Brainpool, for which he also acts as MD, Banijay Productions, Good Times, Endemol Shine Germany, MadeFor, Raab TV, Lucky Pics and MTS Künstler Management among others.

     

    Representing the group’s ethos of “storymaking set free”, Banijay Germany is a leading collective of independent entertainment producers and creative entrepreneurs. Investing in innovative and fresh content that is born locally and travels globally, the business is behind some of the country’s best-loved productions including Masked Singer (ProSieben), Schlag den Star (Beat the Star) (ProSieben), Wer wird Millionär? (Who Wants to be a Millionaire) (RTL), Tatort Weimar und Tatort Dresden (Das Erste), Temptation Island (TVNow / RTL), Promi Big Brother (Celebrity Big Brother) (Sat.1), Promis unter Palmen (Sat.1), Kitchen Impossible (VOX), Luke! Die Greatnightshow (Sat.1) and Free European Song Contest (ProSieben).

     

    Wolter joined the business back in 2018 from Endemol Shine Germany, where he was CEO, and Chairman Northern Europe for Endemol Shine Group.

     

    The country’s newly finalised structure also sees Fabian Tobias, currently Managing Director of Brainpool’s Show and Factual Division, take up the role of Managing Director for Endemol Shine Germany. He will be joined by Ute März, who has been appointed co-CEO of the entity, having served as Chief Finance Officer since 2002. The leaders of Banijay Germany’s other entities remain unchanged.

     

    Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer at Banijay comments: “In Marcus we have an exceptionally strong and strategic leader. Familiar with both sides of the footprint, he is well-placed to oversee the country’s seamless integration, while driving efficient and effective businesses for the future. Having already proven their strength in generating new IP alongside the production of key group-owned IP, his network of companies, along with the new additions, provide an incredibly diverse offering for clients and audiences alike.”

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO and co-partner Banijay Germany comments:“Banijay Germany prides itself on developing, creating and producing some of the country’s best brands. By bringing together this excellent collective of first-class producers, partners, artists and colleagues, we are building a home for the best creative talent to devise the next generation of entertainment for all platforms. Our business was built on independence, creative freedom and creative entrepreneurialism and I am dedicated to working with our new team to see this live on.”

     

    Magnus Kastner, who has served as CEO at Endemol Shine Germany since 2018, will step down from his role.