Tag Archive: New appointment

  1. Banijay Nordic Appoints New CEO at Rubicon

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    Banijay Nordic today announces a new senior appointment at Norwegian scripted label Rubicon, with Håkon Briseid taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer.

     

    Håkon Briseid joins Rubicon from Norway’s Monster, where he has held responsibility for the company’s scripted division for over a decade. During his time at Monster, Briseid has executive produced numerous hit dramas including The Half Brother, Nobel, Borderliner, Young&Promising, Pørni and upcoming Furia.

    In his position at Rubicon, Håkon Briseid will report to Banijay Nordic’s CEO, Jacob Houlind, and the region’s Head of Scripted, Johannes Jensen. With a remit to further grow Rubicon’s output, he will work with creative leaders, Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, on building the company’s line-up of critically-acclaimed, original content for both the Norwegian and international market. Briseid will take up the position early in 2022.

    One of Norway’s leading drama production companies, Rubicon, is behind a slate of freshly created scripted productions, including Beforeigners, which is available across HBO Europe territories, and via HBO Max in the U.S. Season two will launch later this year with Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones), Ann Akin (I May Destroy You), Jade Anouka (Cleaning Up), Billy Postlethwaite (Chenobyl), and Philip Rosch (The King) joining the cast.

    Other credits include coming-of-age story Nach for Discovery Nordic, distributed by Banijay Rights, and a soon to be announced project for NRK. Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjørnstad are also behing global success Lillyhammer, and The Councilman, which was also adapted for the Dutch market.

    Håkon Briseid comments: “Sixteen years at Monster speaks for itself. It has been a fantastic ride and I am extremely proud of my colleagues and the upcoming slate. This is an opportunity I could not let go, as I have long-admired Rubicon’s slate of scripted series which shines a light on topics in the the local and international zeitgeist. Eilif and Anne have a distinctive voice, often with a satirical twist, allowing the audience to connect with characters in a unique way. I look forward to working with them and the rest of the talented team at Rubicon, as well as joining the unrivalled community of scripted producers at Banijay.”

    Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, Creative Directors at Rubicon comment: “We’re delighted Håkon has decided to join Rubicon as our CEO. He has a deep understanding of the local and global market, and it’s brilliant to have a well-respected leader team up with us, especially with a second season of Beforeigners on the horizon, and as we enter the next phase of creating new projects for our eclectic slate.”

     

    Jacob Houlind, CEO at Banijay Nordic says: “Nordic scripted content continues to take the world by storm, and we are incredibly proud of Rubicon’s productions. This appointment cements the company’s position as an industry trailbrazer.”

     

    Johannes Jensen, Group Head of Scripted Banijay Nordic adds: “Håkon Briseid is a proven scripted leader and the ideal person to join Eilif and Anne as they continue to create premium, original programming for Norway and beyond.”

     

    Banijay Nordic encompasses the region’s very best scripted labels, behind internationally-recognised drama and comedy. Joining Rubicon’s Beforeigners (HBO) and Nach (Discovery Nordic), are forthcoming credits such as Vinterviken/ JJ & E (Filmlance for Netflix and SVT), Ronja (Filmlance for Viaplay),  A Class Apart (Jarowskij in co-production with Brommamamma, Film I Väst and Nent Group for Viaplay), Snow Angels (Yellow Bird for SVT), Young Wallander 2 and Spotify Untold (Yellow Bird UK for Netflix) and Detective Marie Kallio (Banijay Finland for CMore).

     

  2. Banijay Group Enlists Cathy Payne to Lead Distribution

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    Banijay Group today confirms the appointment of Cathy Payne as CEO, Banijay Rights. Previously CEO, Endemol Shine International, she has been brought on board to lead the business’ growing global distribution strategy and activities and take the division through its impending next phase.

     

    An industry veteran, Payne brings a wealth of experience and commercial acumen, and will be tasked with overseeing the positioning and exploitation of Banijay Rights’ expanding catalogue, building the business’ reputation and that of its brands across the world. The move follows almost ten years of service with Endemol, most recently under the guise of Endemol Shine International, where she directed all worldwide distribution efforts, steering its six-territory strong team and in-house and third-party content sales, as well as working closely with the commercial team on IP exploitation. During her tenure, she projected the business’ Scripted capabilities through international co-productions and was behind the global roll-out and success of numerous hit brands including Peaky Blinders, Mr Bean, Grantchester, Tin Star and Younger, alongside the continued longevity ofHome and Away, in addition to working alongside the production and creative businesses on expanding non-scripted franchises: MasterChef, Big Brother, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Ambulance and Lego Masters.

     

    Prior to taking on the role of Chief Executive, Endemol Worldwide Distribution, in 2009, Payne was Chief Executive at Southern Star International. There, over the course of 20 years, she was responsible for building one of the largest distributors of English-language content outside of the U.S.

     

    In line with the expansion plans for distribution, Tim Mutimer will now fulfil the role of EVP, EMEA Sales & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights. Working collaboratively with Payne, he will oversee the team and all activity for the region.

     

    Payne will adopt her new role on Monday 27 April 2020, reporting to CEO, Marco Bassetti.

     

    Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive, Banijay Group comments: “Cathy is an exceptional leader and incredibly well-respected industry mogul. A creative entrepreneur with extraordinary market knowledge and commercial intelligence, she is behind some of the world’s biggest distribution successes. Having worked with her directly and admired her work from afar, we have long-followed her journey and could not be more excited to have her joining ours, as we continue to build the business and its footprint worldwide.”

     

    Cathy Payne adds: “It has never been a more exciting time for content creation and distribution, and I am energised to be joining the team as it embarks on this period of expansion.”

     

    The Banijay Rights catalogue currently comprises some of the world’s leading formats and titles including Survivor, Versailles, Temptation Island, Wife Swap, The Restaurant, The Inbetweeners, The Crystal Maze, Wisting, Occupied and The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds.