Cohen steps down as Fremantle CEO

Tony Cohen, the CEO of RTL-owned producer-distributor FremantleMedia, is stepping down and will be replaced by Cécile Frot-Coutaz.

Tony Cohen

Cohen, who has been at the helm of the American Idol coproducer for 12 years and with the company for 17, will leave to “focus on his non-executive work,” the company said in a statement.

Frot-Coutaz, who has been with the firm the same amount of time and is currently CEO of FremantleMedia North America, takes over from July 1.

Cohen’s departure is the latest senior management change to come at RTL Group since head honcho Gerhard Zeiler said in February he was leaving to join Turner Broadcasting.

He was succeeded by chief operating officer Guillaume de Posch and RTL Television CEO Anke Schäferkordt, who yesterday became joint RTL Group CEOs. At the same time, the CEO of parent Bertelsmann, Thomas Rabe, became the company’s new chairman.

De Posch said of Cohen’s exit: “I want to thank Tony Cohen for his outstanding achievements. He transformed FremantleMedia from a collection of individual entities into a global content power house. Under his leadership, the company has become the pre-eminent producer of the hit prime-time global entertainment formats in dozens of countries, a top distributor and brand licensor, and a rapidly growing force in online and mobile gaming, branded entertainment and kids. I wish him all the best for the future.”

Cohen said: “FremantleMedia’s extraordinary creative and commercial achievements this last decade have been due to the talent and skill of its leadership team and staff, to our great partnerships with major talent and to our shareholder’s unwavering support. I am grateful to them all and to have been part of the company’s amazing journey.”

Cecile Frot-Coutaz

Of Frot-Coutaz’s appointment, de Posch and Schäferkordt added: “After being with the group for 17 years, Cécile has the vision and leadership that are needed to further grow FremantleMedia. She brings expertise and drive from the largest TV market in the world and combines her creative skills as a producer with a sharp business perspective. I am very happy to welcome her at the helm of RTL Group’s production arm.”

Frot-Coutaz currently oversees the development, production and business operations of over 600 hours of network, cable and syndicated programming, including the American Idol for Fox. RTL said it would name her successor “in due course.”