Zodiak names Frank replacement

Zodiak Media has chosen international broadcast executive Marc-Antoine d’Halluin to succeed its outgoing CEO David Frank next month, after C21 last week revealed he was leaving.

Marc-Antoine d'Halluin

d’Halluin will replace Frank on October 15 when he steps down after just over three years in the role. The French national joins Zodiak from Rubis Media Partners, a media investment and advisory practice he has been a partner of since 2011.

Before that d’Halluin was CEO and President of pan-Arabic broadcasters Showtime between 2006 and 2009, followed by a stint at Orbit Showtime Network between 2009 and 2010.

d’Halluin has also held roles at pay TV Scandinavian platform Canal+ Nordic (C More Entertainment), Sony Pictures and Fox Kids Europe.

Lorenzo Pellicioli, chairman of Zodiak and CEO of majority shareholder De Agostini, said: “With Marc-Antoine d’Halluin a new phase begins for the group; while continuing to be active in the international content production and distribution markets, he has the task of leading Zodiak in achieving other important objectives in terms of both results and growth.”

Meanwhile, Frank will leave Zodiak by the end of the year, as revealed by C21 on Friday, but will continue as a non-executive director and advisor.

According to Zodiak, Frank informed De Agostini several months ago of his intention to leave Zodiak at the end of 2013 and since then has been helping De Agostini to identify his successor and make plans for an orderly transition to the new CEO.

Frank said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for me because I have loved my time with Zodiak and have had a great relationship with my shareholders who have been nothing but supportive throughout. However, I felt the time was right for a change – for me and for the company.”