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YLE names MTV exec as CEO

Finnish public broadcaster YLE has appointed the editor-in-chief at local commercial broadcaster MTV as its new CEO.

Merja Ylä-Anttila

Merja Ylä-Anttila will begin at YLE on September 1 after Lauri Kivinen, who announced his departure in January, leaves to take up a new position in the private sector.

Ylä-Anttila has worked in the media sector for 30 years, spending the past 17 with MTV, which is Finland’s largest commercial broadcaster and is currently owned by Swedish publisher Bonnier.

She has also acted as MD of production company Mediahub Helsinki, part of Bonnier’s broadcast arm, since 2015.

“I have a lot of experience in journalism but also in media business management during times of transformation and transition,” said Ylä-Anttila.

“Now that the media in Finland is in the midst of fierce international competition, cooperation between public broadcasting services and the commercial media is more important than ever. We need a highly functional domestic media that is equipped to provide Finnish residents with the best possible content,.”

Thomas Wilhelmsson, YLE’s chairman of the board, said: “Ylä-Anttila demonstrates a good combination of experience, skill and leadership. She knows the field and YLE’s activities well. She has an understanding of development needs brought on by social and technological pressures. As a manager, Ylä-Anttila is a motivator.”

Kivinen oversaw a number of major changes at the broadcaster after arriving in 2010, including the switching of its funding system from a licence fee to a tax in 2013 and the cutting of the workforce following a funding freeze.

The broadcaster has also increased its presence on the internet with on-demand service YLE Arena, while its drama department has launched its first Snapchat drama as it seeks to engage with younger viewers.

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