Banijay Entertainment confirms post-merger senior leadership team

Banijay Entertainment has confirmed its senior leadership team led by CEO Marco Bassetti following its merger with All3Media.

Marco Bassetti

Bassetti informed staff of the company’s top line-up, which will report to him, in an internal note seen by C21.

Fred Balmary, will continue to serve as chief business officer, having joined Banijay in 2011, first as group financial controller and later becoming deputy chief financial officer. Lucas Green remains chief content officer, operations, while James Townley continues as chief content officer, development.

Green joined Banijay from Fremantle’s UK label Thames, where he was head of development, at the beginning of 2018. Before joining Thames, he co-founded his own start-up, Superhero Television, and prior to that was head of development at Princess Productions.

Lucas Green

Townley joined Banijay following its takeover of Endemol Shine Group in 2020, having been at the latter group following the merger between Endemol and Shine, joining Shine’s Princess Productions from Sky in 2011.

The two were promoted to their chief content officer roles at the same time in mid-2023.

Other roles confirmed by Bassetti this morning are Nicolas Chazarain as chief legal officer, Thomas Gousset as chief finance officer, Kate Humphreys as chief communications officer and Anne Van Sprang as chief human resources officer.

“Since their appointments, this group has made a significant contribution to the business, with many playing an integral role in delivering the merger and advancing the current integration,” said Bassetti. “We will formally introduce the team across the business as the integration progresses. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience as we continue through this period of change.”

James Townley

The moves are part of the integration of Banijay Entertainment and All3Media, whose merger was completed in July through the strategic alliance between Banijay Group and RedBird IMI.

When the deal closed, RedBird IMI’s CEO Jeff Zucker was named chairman of Banijay Entertainment, while All3Media CEO Jane Turton was appointed deputy CEO, with Bassetti taking on the role of CEO. Turton, Balmary, Chazarain, Gousset, Van Sprang and Banijay Rights CEO Cathy Payne have also joined Bassetti on Banijay’s executive team.

Earlier this month Banijay Entertainment confirmed the executive line-up for its combined distribution business, Banijay Rights, following its merger with All3Media International.