Stehmeier returns to Off The Fence

Bo Stehmeier, currently president of Red Arrow Studios International, is returning to rival European distributor Off The Fence (OTF) as co-CEO.

Bo Stehmeier

Stehmeier will share the role with company founder Ellen Windemuth, effective from January 1 next year.

OTF, which produces and sells documentaries and factual and reality series around the world, was founded in the Netherlands in 1994 and bought by Germany’s ZDFE Enterprises (ZDFE) last year.

Since then Ralf Rückauer, VP of ZDFE.unscripted at ZDFE, has been serving as co-CEO alongside Windemuth. The appointment of Stehmeier will see Rückauer focus solely on his original position at ZDFE.

The move represents something of a homecoming for Stehmeier, who joined OTF in 2007 having previously worked in acquisitions and sales at TVF International, Zodiak Media and Optomen.

He held various positions at OTF, most recently head of global sales, before moving to Germany’s Red Arrow Studios International as head of world sales in 2016. He was made president there in January 2019.

Fred Burcksen, president and CEO of ZDFE and chairman of the supervisory board at OTF, said: “We are very pleased to have been able to secure the services of Bo Stehmeier for this position. He is not only an internationally recognised and well-networked marketing and sales expert, but also someone who, from many years of previous experience with Off the Fence, knows the company and its range of programmes very well.”

Stehmeier added: “The OTF team has readied the company for exponential growth, perfectly timed for the imminent renaissance of non-scripted. I am truly excited to reconnect with my factual entertainment roots and to co-pilot this studio during such exciting times.”

Windemuth said: “Bo and OTF share the same passion for high-quality non-fiction. His vast experience will allow us to grow the company while supporting its values and spirit. I very much look forward to working with him again.”

James Baker, president and co-CEO of Red Arrow Studios, said: “Bo has made a tremendous contribution to Red Arrow’s TV distribution business over the last five years. We look forward to continuing to work with him throughout 2020 until he leaves us at the end of the year, and wish him all the best for the future.”