Endemol, Shine structure revealed

The structure of the world’s first ‘mega-indie,’ Endemol Shine Group (ESG), has taken shape after the deal to create the biggest independent production entity in the TV business was confirmed yesterday.

Sophie Turner Laing

21st Century Fox and Apollo Global Management announced the completion of the transaction to create the company, which will operate in more than 30 markets with a catalogue of more than 600 formats in scripted and unscripted.

These include globally successful formats such as MasterChef, Big Brother and American Idol, along with critically acclaimed UK dramas like Broadchurch and Peaky Blinders.

Former BSkyB MD of content, Sophie Turner Laing, ESG CEO, said that the aim is to have the two firms “working under the same roof as one” by spring next year, while the group’s name is also a work-in-progress.

“The rationale for the name is equally simple. By combining Endemol and Shine in alphabetical order we’re launching with a strong identity that says who we are and which will be recognised across the industry. We will review this as we work together and the group evolves over the first year,” Turner Laing said.

Shine Group chairman of Northern Europe Gary Carter and Endemol chief operating officer Martha Brass will serve as co-CEOs of international operations at what will initially be known as Endemol Shine Group.

Carter, also chairman of ancillary rights, digital and branded entertainment arm Shine 360, will oversee operations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Nordics, the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, the MENA region, Turkey and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Brass’s remit will cover France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, India, China, South-East Asia, Latin America and Israel.

ESG has confirmed that Shine International CEO Nadine Nohr will be leaving the company in light of Endemol Worldwide Distribution (EWD) CEO Cathy Payne’s promotion to CEO of the mega-indie’s global sales arm, after C21 was first to reveal the news.

Nohr will work together with Payne on bringing the two global distribution businesses together before stepping down.

Fox and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo will jointly manage the newly created group, with each owning 50%.
ESG says it is in the process of determining the best way to bring together the operations of Endemol and Shine in markets where both currently operate and this will continue in the forthcoming months.

The first markets to have completed this process are France and Germany.

In Germany, Endemol Germany MD Marcus Wolter will lead the combined businesses of Endemol and Shine, as CEO of Endemol Shine Germany. Axel Kuehn, currently CEO of Shine Germany, will leave the business after a period of transition in early 2015.

Joining Wolter in the senior management team will be Shine Germany Deputy CEO Holger Rettler, who will become director of Show, a new label within Endemol Shine Germany focussed on entertainment series.

In France, Endemol’s and Shine’s operations will remain independently operated and run as separate entities, led by Endemol’s Nicolas Coppermann and Shine’s Thierry Lachkar, who will each continue as CEOs of their respective businesses.

Boudewijn Beusmans, formerly chief legal and business affairs officer at Endemol, has been made commercial officer of ESG, where he will be responsible for overseeing include distribution and legal affairs.

As previously announced, Endemol’s Tim Hincks is to become the group’s president, while Charlie Corwin and Cris Abrego will become co-chairmen and co-CEOs of the new JV’s North American operations.

Also as previously announced, Peter Hurwitz will serve as president of Core Media while the company’s TV development team continues to be led by Jen O’Connell.