Banijay appoints EMEA scripted chief

European production and distribution giant Banijay has appointed an Endemol Shine Group executive as its head of scripted for EMEA.

Lars Blomgren

Lars Blomgren will focus on the non-English-language side of the company’s scripted offering, working with the group’s producers across the region.

Blomgren will be tasked with driving collaboration across the non-English scripted footprint, identifying new prospects and partnerships to optimise investment. The role will also give him responsibility for forging coproduction opportunities between English-speaking markets and EMEA-based labels.

At Endemol Shine Group, Blomgren spent the past two years spearheading the business’s non-English scripted production operation, which was responsible for 69 productions in 2019, up from 50 the previous year.

His slate included Bron, Penoza, Caliphate, Beforeigners and Queens, along with forthcoming series Vinterviken 2021, The Idhun Chronicles and Bombay Begums.

Blomgren will report to Banijay’s CEO, Marco Bassetti.

“Lars is a great addition to our evolving global team. Having been at the forefront of the non-English-language scripted operations at Endemol Shine Group, he is well-versed in building partnerships and maximising on investments in this arena and now, with an even broader portfolio of businesses, there is no doubt he can further develop our offering of high-quality content with cross-border appeal,” said Bassetti.

Blomgren added: “It is an honour to lead this unrivalled network of scripted producers whose work I so admire. With exceptional talent and a sharp, co-ordinated strategy which encourages independence and collaboration, we are in a brilliant position to offer bold and original programming to all broadcasters and platforms. I am very much looking forward to working with old friends and getting to know new ones across the business.”

It is the latest appointment following Banijay’s US$2.2bn buy out of Endemol Shine Group which concluded in July.

Integration, with promotions and departures, have already been announced for the group’s distribution arm and operations in Iberia and Italy, Germany, Benelux, France, the Nordics and the UK. Industry veteran Cathy Payne is overseeing the merger of the groups’ distribution arms.