LONDON
Global TV production and distribution house Endemol, whose skeins include “Deal or No Deal” and “Big Brother,” is shaking up its commercial and brands biz.
The restructure follows the exit of Olivier Gers, CEO of Endemol Worldwide Brands, who had been driving the extension of brands across the digital arena, especially second-screen initiatives.
Endemol has set up a group commercial board to replace EWB made up of senior execs from across the company’s global operations, chaired by Endemol U.K. CEO Lucas Church.
Branco Scherer, former EWB regional director of international, joins the board as exec director of commercial affairs, charged with coordinating global commercial teams.
The changes are designed to give local operations greater control, with former EWB execs now reporting to local managing directors in each territory.
“Our aim is to continue expanding our day-to-day commercial business locally whilst sharing ideas across the group about the big opportunities for Endemol in today’s fast changing global market,” said Endemol Group prexy Tim Hincks.
Endemol recently pacted with YouTube to create channels in Europe; created an online format for gameshow “The Money Drop,” which has attracted more than 18 million players across 15 cuntries; and created an iPhone game for racing game “Wipeout,” which was the top premium app on iTunes’ app store for three weeks in the U.S.
