Divimove brings in Schiwek from UFA

RTL Group has appointed a new MD for its multiplatform network Divimove as the three co-founders and co-MDs prepare to stand down.

Tobias Schiwek

Tobias Schiwek is currently co-MD of German production group UFA’s digital arm UFA X (fka UFA Lab) and chief digital officer of UFA.

He will take over the role from January 1. A replacement at UFA will be named in due course.

He succeeds the Divimove co-founders and MDs Brian Ruhe, Philopp Bernecker and Sebastiaan van Dam, who are stepping down from their management roles.

The move is part of RTL’s stated aim for significant growth in its multiplatform network business, which includes StyleHaul and United Screens as well as Divimove. The group will operate together on a global basis, targeting younger audiences with shortform content.

Sean Atkins, currently CEO of StyleHaul, will be CEO of the group and Schiwek will report to him once the executive rejig comes into effect in 2019.

Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Group, said: “Tobias Schiwek is deeply familiar with RTL Group’s broad portfolio to drive closer cooperation with our broadcasters, content producers and digital offers. He has a proven track record of digital transformation and creating innovative digital-first content.”

Prior to joining UFA, Schiwek worked as a digital strategist, founding various media start-ups and advising established industries on digital change.

Divimove is Europe’s leading multiplatform network with 11.5 billion video views in the first half of 2018. It currently registers 300 million subscribers across its 900 social influencers in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland and France.