Banijay reveals Iberia, Italy leadership

European production giant Banijay has revealed its new leadership structure for Italy and Iberia following the completion of its takeover of Endemol Shine.

Pilar Blasco

Pilar Blasco will lead all operations for Banijay Iberia while Paolo Bassetti will continue to oversee the business in Italy.

Both will be responsible for their respective regions’ production labels and creative talent, with Iberia’s main activities spanning Madrid, Barcelona, Galicia, Vitoria and Lisbon, and Italy’s through Milan and Rome.

Blasco’s footprint will include eight labels: Gestmusic, Diagonal, Shine Iberia, Cuarzo Producciones, Zeppelin Television, DLO Magnolia, Endemol Portugal and Tuiwok. Shows produced by the group include MasterChef, Radio Gaga, Tu Cara Me Suena, La Isla De Las Tentaciones and Big Brother, and original scripted titles Hierro, Amar Es Para Siempre and The Idhun Chronicles.

Comprising 10 production entities, including Banijay Italia, Endemol Shine Italy and Banijay Studios Italy, Banijay Italy will be the home of brands including Grande Fratello (Big Brother), MasterChef Italia, Temptation Island, L’Isola Dei Famosi (Celebrity Survivor), El legado, Identity, Che Tempo Che Fa, Il Pparadiso Delle Signore and Bake Off Italia.

Paolo Bassetti

Blasco, former CEO of Endemol Shine Iberia, has led the group there for five years. Between 2011 and 2015, she was MD of Endemol Spain, having also led the company’s Madrid-based arm, Zeppelin TV.

Bassetti has been CEO of Banijay Italy for two years. Previously, he served as CEO and chairman of Endemol Shine Group’s Italian arm and was a member of the international board.

Massimo Righini, meanwhile, is leaving Banijay Italia after six years, first as creative producer and then as chief creative officer of Rome-based NonPanic Banijay.

Righini led the creative development, scouting of international formats, pitches and relationships with networks.

Prior to join Banijay Group, he worked for two decades with the Mediaset Group and collaborated also with Endemol-Shine, Fascino and Magnolia on different commissions for Rai, Discovery and Sky. He also held the role of head of channel, programming and content of Agon Channel.

The news follows last week’s announcement that François de Brugada will lead Banijay’s enlarged presence in France, with Nicolas Coppermann leaving the company.

Banijay’s US$2.2bn takeover of Endemol Shine concluded at the start of the month.