News

8 October 2008

ENDEMOL APPOINTS MARINA WILLIAMS AS CEO OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN OPERATIONS

Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming, today announced the appointment of Marina Williams to the new role of Chief Executive Officer of Central and Eastern European Operations.

Marina Williams will oversee Endemol's operations across all of Central and Eastern Europe including Russia, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine, Greece and will be responsible for driving forward the Group's expansion throughout the region.

Marina is an industry leader with seventeen years experience in the Central and Eastern European television business and has been behind the launch and operations of international and local channels. These include CNN International, Cartoon Network, Jetix, Fox Life, Russia's first commercial broadcaster TV-6, leading terrestrial Bulgarian network bTV, and one of Ukraine's top national networks Studio 1+1.
In her most previous role, Marina has been Executive Vice President and a member of the Management Board of Central European Media Enterprises (CME), the leading television broadcaster in the region, with stations reaching approximately 91 million people.

Before joining CME in 2004 she was Vice-President of Fox Channels Development at Fox Channels International where her activities included the development of cable and satellite networks in Central and Eastern Europe resulting in the launch of Fox channels in the Balkan region and Turkey.

During 1998-2003 she held senior positions at Fox Kids, first as a Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe responsible for launch and operations of local channels, then as Executive Director, TV Channels, Europe, responsible for pan-European distribution strategy. Marina added 6 new channels to the company's operations in Central and Eastern Europe reaching a total of 15 million subscribers in 26 countries.

As CEO of Central and Eastern European Operations, Marina will work closely with Endemol's existing companies in Russia, Poland and Turkey to further build local output including growth in scripted programming, as well as establish new production bases across the region. She will also work alongside the group's newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer Tom Toumazis, who is responsible for expanding Endemol's global licensing and distribution activities. Together with Tom, Marina will develop licensing and distribution operations throughout Central and Eastern Europe as well as pursue partnerships and joint ventures with local and regional parties.

Marina will take up her new role in January 2009 and will be based in London, reporting to Marco Bassetti, Chief Operating Officer of Endemol.
Marco Bassetti comments: "Central and Eastern Europe is one of the fastest growing TV markets in the world and is one of the focal points of our growth strategy. It is therefore essential that we have someone who can operate at the highest level to lead our expansion in this market. Combining Marina's exceptional local expertise with Endemol's leverage as a global producer and distributor will strongly position us for further growth across the region."

Marina Williams adds: "Endemol has already established a significant presence in Central and Eastern Europe and has a firm grasp of regional market trends such as the strong preference for locally produced content. By expanding and diversifying the group's local output, distribution and geographical presence our ambition is to make Endemol one of the principal players in this market."

Endemol currently has local operating companies in Russia, Poland and Turkey. Forthcoming and current productions include Big Brother, Operacion Triunfo and The Kids Are All Right in Poland; Wipeout and Deal or No Deal in Turkey as well as 1 vs. 100 and drama series The Heritage in Russia.

Endemol's shows have also been licensed in territories across Central and Eastern Europe including Greece, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Balkans, Bulgaria and Ukraine.