MUMBAI: Television format creator, distributor FremantleMedia has announced the appointment of Thom Beers as CEO of the US business effective 1 September.

Beers, currently FremantleMedia-owned company Original Productions CEO, executive producer, will be based in Los Angeles and report directly to FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

Beers will be responsible for the company‘s overall management and business performance and will oversee the development, production and business operations of over 600 hours of network, cable and syndicated programming. He will lead an experienced executive team including FMNA COO Donna Redier Linsk and president of entertainment programming - ‘American Idol‘, ‘The X Factor‘ and ‘America?s Got Talent‘ Trish Kinane.

Frot-Coutaz said, "Thom Beers has a creative vision that has placed Original Productions, the company he founded, at the forefront of the industry. Thom?s multi-award winning combination of experience, innovation and expertise has made Original a dominant force on US primetime cable networks, and as an existing member of the FremantleMedia family he has a deep knowledge of our people, our company and our operations around the world. Thom is the perfect choice to take the helm of FMNA as it continues to grow, and we are very pleased that he has agreed to build on his successful leadership of Original and take on responsibility for FMNA."