FMI hires Shine exec for scripted

FremantleMedia International (FMI) has appointed Shine International’s senior VP of acquisitions as it looks to strengthen its drama output.

Georgia Brown will join FMI’s global division as senior VP of scripted, where she will oversee drama and comedy.

Brown will work with the distribution teams at FMI to establish demand for new scripted projects, as well as with third-party writers and producers. She will report to FMI’s CEO Jens Richter, who joined recently from Red Arrow International.

Richter said: “Georgia is one of the industry’s rising stars; she has excellent working relationships with some of the best writing and production talent in the business and a fantastic track record in deal closing.”

Brown will also report to Sarah Doole as part of the global drama team, where she will work with the in-house departments at FremantleMedia to develop projects and bring them to the market. The pair previously worked together at BBC Worldwide, where Brown was commercial manager of indie drama.

Most recently, Brown was senior VP of acquisitions at Shine International and oversaw series including Broadchurch and Code of a Killer. She also secured a first-look deal for Shine International with scripted indie Ecosse Films.

Brown’s appointment comes as the newly formed Endemol Shine Group continues to reshuffle its UK team, with several leading execs leaving.

Brown said: “It’s always difficult to leave such a talented group of people, and I’d like to wish the new Endemol Shine Group all the best for the future, but the opportunity to join FremantleMedia at such an exciting time and with their ambitious plans for scripted was something I just couldn’t resist.”