Shine Int’l finds new CEO

Shine Group sales arm Shine International has appointed Modern Times Group’s (MTG) Camilla Hammer as CEO, ending its search for Chris Grant’s replacement.

Camilla Hammer

The appointment follows Shine International’s relocation from LA to London, a move that triggered the departure of former president Grant, who has since joined Ben Silverman’s prodco Electus as CEO.

Hammer will lead the division, which has 42 staff. The division exploits Shine formats such as MasterChef, The Biggest Loser, The Family, One Born Every Minute, Clash of the Choirs and scripted fare such as BBC drama The Hour.

She will report to Shine CEO Alex Mahon, who has been carrying out Grant’s duties since he left in May.

Shine International’s former base in the US remains open, albeit at a much reduced level, with executive VP John Pollak set to leave at the end of the year. News Corp-owned Shine currently ships 3,000 hours of programming annually to more than 150 countries.

Hammer’s appointment comes after those of Matthew Ashcroft, who became the company’s first senior VP of Asia Pacific; ITV Global executive Noel Hedges, who became senior VP of acquisitions for the Americas; and Jan Rowlands, appointed as head of business and legal affairs.

Hammer joins following a 12-year run at Scandinavian broadcast group MTG, where she was most recently senior VP of acquisitions for the company’s linear and pay-TV channels and on-demand business. She also helmed the company’s recent co-finance ventures and channel partnerships.

Her other roles have included chief operating officer of emerging markets, CEO of Hungary and head of pay-TV and third-party channels.

“Camilla’s experience is extensive and spans many territories. She will bring to the role knowledge and multiple perspectives from all aspects of content acquisition and distribution, skills that will enable her to both complement and lead the Shine International team,” said Mahon.

“Shine International represents some of the world’s most-loved programmes and having worked with them over the years I know them to be an incredible and dynamic team that I look forward to joining hugely,” said Hammer.

“After a very happy 12 years at MTG, it is sad to leave so many friends and colleagues but I know the group will continue to go from strength to strength and wish them the very best as they do.”

Jakob Mejlhede, MTG-owned Viasat Broadcasting’s senior VP of programming and entertainment, has taken on Hammer’s responsibilities in an acting capacity.

Last month, Shine brought in Warner Bros International Television exec Claudia Danser as MD of its international formats development division Shine Network.