WBD alum Pierre Branco to succeed Romain Bessi atop Newen Studios

TF1-owned French production group Newen Studios has appointed former Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) exec Pierre Branco as its new head to replace Romain Bessi, who is set to depart the company.

Pierre Branco

Branco, the former country manager of WBD for France, Benelux and Africa, was part of an exodus from the US giant last summer after 17 years with the company.

He will join Newen Studios in April as part of a rejig of the company’s senior management, which will see Rodolphe Belmer, chairman and CEO of Newen parent TF1, appointed chairman of Newen Studios.

Since being acquired by TF1 group, Newen has grown its footprint across 11 countries and 50 production labels, producing more than 4,000 hours of content a year. Newen also distributes a catalogue of 12,000 hours of programmes through its Newen Connect distribution arm.

After six years at Newen Studios – during which he led the company’s expansion, particularly in international markets, brought in new talent and set up a new organisational structure in France – Bessi has decided to step down as head of Newen.

Over the next few months, he will continue to work with Belmer at TF1 to ensure a smooth transition.

Belmer said: “I would like to extend my warmest thanks to Romain Bessi for building a studio of European standing, in a particularly tough competitive environment. The proliferation of content providers, the rise of streaming and competition between global players are creating new opportunities for exacting and innovative production and distribution companies.

“I am delighted to welcome Pierre Branco to lead a new phase in the development of Newen. During a brilliant career at one of the leading US studios, Pierre has acquired unrivalled knowledge of the global content, broadcasting, production and distribution market. That experience, coupled with his business acumen and strategic capabilities, means Pierre is ideally prepared to meet Newen challenges, with the support of talented colleagues in France and internationally.”