Nehama Cohen appointed SVP development and network, non-scripted at Keshet Int’l

Former Armoza Formats CCO Nehama Cohen has been appointed to the newly created position of senior VP of development and network, non-scripted, at Israeli distributor-producer Keshet International (KI).

Nehama Cohen

The experienced executive will report to Keren Shahar, KI’s CEO, and is charged with supercharging the company’s unscripted formats strategy.

Cohen will be responsible for creating and developing original formats for KI, alongside overseeing the global roll-out and adaptation of non-scripted formats within the distributor’s existing catalogue.

Her priority will be working with KI’s non-scripted hubs, the distribution team, and Keshet 12’s development team to create new formats. She will also lead the creative and development process with all KI’s third-party partners, including France’s Satisfaction Group.

Cohen joins KI following a four-year tenure as chief creative officer at Armoza Formats, where she oversaw non-scripted projects having joined the company as head of development in 2013. There she oversaw titles such as The Four – Battle for Stardom (Fox), I Can Do That (NBC) and Babushka (ITV).

Prior to that, Cohen was a managing editor at Israel’s Channel 10, where she managed primetime shows like gameshow Still Standing and acquired formats such as Beauty and the Geek and The Real Housewives.

She has also held various production and development roles at Erez Tal Productions, Kuperman Productions, and Keshet Broadcasting, where she started her career in TV as an acquisitions executive in 1999, before being promoted to head of acquisitions the following year.

Shahar said: “Nehama’s appointment reinforces KI’s renewed focus on our non-scripted formats strategy, as a developer, producer and distributor of global content. I am confident that Nehama’s limitless creativity, as well as the extensive experience she’s gained throughout her impressive career will help accelerate our ambitions in the unscripted space.”

Cohen said: “I’m grateful to return to Keshet, the place where I first stepped into the TV industry. Keshet has a remarkable track record of creating exceptional and innovative original content, and I’m eager to contribute my experience and passion to the non-scripted space.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with our talented partners at KI as we strive to bring fresh and inspiring formats to the global market.”