YLE names drama chief

Finnish pubcaster YLE has appointed a veteran TV director as its new head of drama, following the promotion of Tuire Lindström last year.

Jarmo Lampela

Jarmo Lampela – currently professor of film direction and head of Aalto University’s television and film department in Finland – will take charge of YLE’s in-house TV and radio drama department, which has around 40 staff, from May 1.

His predecessor, Tuire Lindström, left after four years in the role in November to become YLE’s head of international coproductions and partnerships, as revealed by C21.

Lampela, who will report to YLE’s creative director, Ville Vilén, said he aims to create more international coproductions and offer opportunities to younger industry professionals.

“Drama has an established audience and I believe it will also find new followers online and through new types of media use,” he said. “YLE has a unique, national purpose and opportunity to create and produce Finnish drama.”

Vilén told C21 that Lampela would make a “skilful leader” in an “increasingly international YLE drama department.”

“He will enable us to develop our field in cooperation with production companies and with educational institutions in particular,” added Vilén.

YLE’s programming is split 50/50 between dramas produced in-house and outsourced productions, including Swedish and acquired international dramas.

Lampela has directed television, film and theatre productions and worked as a scriptwriter, dramatist and producer since 1992. He has been involved in a range of projects, from short films to documentaries, and has directed several productions for YLE.

At the end of 2014, YLE appointed Risto Kuulasmaa to the newly created positive of YLE TV and Areena publishing manager, incorporating the head of TV role vacated by Riitta Pihlajamäki last September.

In the same month, YLE confirmed it was shedding 160 jobs as part of plans to modernise its operations following a funding freeze.