Endemol announces senior appointments

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol has announced new appointments to the management board.

Endemol UK CEO Tim Hincks has been appointed Endemol Group president. Endemol France chairman, CEO Virginie Calmels has become COO at Endemol Group. Virginie Calmels was appointed as Endemol France chairman, CEO in 2007,

as well as becoming a member of Endemol?s International Board. Under Virginie?s leadership, Endemol France has established itself as the country?s leading entertainment production company, annually producing over 850 hours of content.

Endemol France?s recent credits include hit series for TF1 such as Secret Story, The Money Drop and les 12 Coups de Midi, and Undercover Boss for M6. Calmels also successfully diversified Endemol France by taking it into scripted programming as well as boosting creative output with new formats such as multiplatform game show The Code, which launched at Mip TV in April.

As Endemol Group COO Calmels will be responsible for overseeing Endemol?s operations in the European markets (12 territories, including France) as well as further enhancing the Group?s efficiency. Calmels will have continued responsibility for Endemol France?s business as its chairman.

Endemol adds that it is performing strongly in terms of growth, profitability and creativity with a business spanning formats, scripted programming, distribution, digital media and brands.

In spite of the challenging marketplace, the company achieved year on year revenue growth in 2011 of 10 per cent to nearly 1.4 billion Euros. This has been driven by a number of factors including expansion in scripted programming, where year on year growth was 34 per cent.

Last year, Endemol produced 189 formats in all entertainment genres, 56 of which were new shows produced for the first time, whilst its global distribution operation added 1,000 hours of new programming to its catalogue, bringing the total to 24,000 hours. Other factors included growth in emerging markets, and continued success for established formats such as ?The Money Drop? and ?Big Brother?, which aired in 87 countries in 2011.

The first quarter of 2012 has shown continued, significant growth in terms of revenues and profits.