News

11 September 2008

ENDEMOL APPOINTS PAUL RÖMER AS GLOBAL HEAD OF PROGRAMMING

Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming, today announced the appointment of Paul Römer (45) to the new role of Global Head of Programming.

Mr. Römer will leave his position as Managing Director of Endemol Netherlands to assume his new role, where he will lead and coordinate Endemol's creative process worldwide. In his capacity he will manage the Global Creative Team, the group's network of creative leaders around the world, and will be in charge of further expanding Endemol's creative activities, including acquisition of third party IP.

Paul has been with Endemol for twelve years and was one of the key creative minds behind the development of the Big Brother format, working alongside John De Mol. He was the Executive Producer of the very first Dutch Big Brother in 1999, which launched the format onto the world stage as a pioneering and record breaking TV and multimedia phenomenon. He was also Executive Producer of the very first Big Brother in the USA which premiered in 2000 on CBS and continues to be an annual hit for the network.

Paul has been Managing Director of Endemol Netherlands since September 2002 as well as a senior member of the group's Global Creative Team. Under his leadership Endemol's Dutch operation has established itself as a market leading creator and producer of TV and digital media content. As part of its growth and diversification Endemol Netherlands is now also producing local digital channels including the Dutch Premier League Football Channel in partnership with the Eredivisie.

Paul will take up his new role on 1st January 2009 and will report to Ynon Kreiz, Chief Executive Officer of the Endemol Group. In maximizing the value of Endemol's creative network he will continue to work closely with Marco Bassetti, Endemol COO, and will cooperate in close liaison with Tom Toumazis, whose appointment as Chief Commercial Officer was announced in August. Paul's successor at Endemol Netherlands will be announced shortly.

Ynon Kreiz comments: "Paul's outstanding track record has earned him a well deserved reputation in the industry as a creative pioneer and a highly skilled commercial operator. He has played a longstanding and central role in Endemol's success in the Netherlands as well as being a core part of the group's international team. I'm delighted to have him at the helm of our creative process as we prepare for our next phase of growth."

Marco Bassetti, Chief Operating Officer of the Endemol Group adds: "Having worked with Paul for many years within Endemol's Global Creative Team I am in no doubt that he is the right person for this role. He has made a significant contribution to Endemol's success in innovating global entertainment properties and couldn't be better qualified to lead our creative network."

Paul Römer says: "Creativity is at the heart of everything we do here at Endemol. The entire business is dependent on the ideas that come from the company's exceptional team of creative talent around the world. I've always felt extremely lucky to be a part of that team and I'm thrilled to be taking on this new role at such an exciting time for the group."