Shine founder Murdoch set for exit

Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, will step down as chairman of the Shine Group she founded if the proposed merger with Endemol and Core Media Group goes ahead.

Elisabeth Murdoch

Murdoch founded Shine in 2001 and oversaw its evolution into a leading independent prodco with hits such as MasterChef.

During her tenure, the firm acquired production outfits Kudos Film and Television, Princess Productions and Firefly Film and Television to form its own £95m (US$186.6m) UK powerhouse.

Murdoch had already begun delegating the day-to-day operations of the company when she appointed Alex Mahon CEO in 2012.

Mahon and Just Spee, Endemol’s CEO, are also set to exit following the merger, with former Sky exec Sophie Turner Laing lined up to become CEO of the proposed superindie.

The joint venture plan was first unveiled by 21st Century Fox and Apollo in May, just days before Turner Laing’s departure from BSkyB was announced.

If approved, the combined group would be the world’s biggest independent production company working in scripted and non-scripted TV.

Shine Group was sold to News Corp, Murdoch’s father’s media company, in 2011 for £415m (US$673m) – a controversial deal that News Corp shareholders branded “nepotistic” and overpriced. Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox is behind the merger of the three production giants.

Her departure is the latest in a string of exits caused by the Shine, Endemol and Core Media merger.

As well as Spee and Mahon announcing their departures, Core Media Group president Marc Graboff left the company last month with Endemol North America co-CEOs Cris Abrego and Charlie Corwin taking on expanded roles to oversee some of Core’s operations.

In July, Simon Shaps left his role as MD of international content and production at Core along with director of business strategy and acquisitions Maureen Kerr.