News

14 January 2009

ENDEMOL APPOINTS PAUL JOHNSON AS GLOBAL HEAD OF MARKETING AND BRAND PARTNERSHIPS

Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming, today announced the appointment of Paul Johnson to the new role of Global Head of Marketing and Brand Partnerships.

Mr. Johnson will oversee all of the company's marketing activities, including marketing operations, branding, communications, event management, brand affiliations and branded content.

In his capacity, he will work closely with Endemol's operating companies around the world in initiating and managing relationships with leading global brands, further growing Endemol's brand partnership business. Paul will also oversee the company's worldwide marketing and communications and will help drive forward the growth and presence of Endemol's global franchises.

Paul has been the Director of the TV Division at Reed Midem in Paris for the past six years where he has been responsible for the growth and development of brand partnerships for all the MIP markets (MIPDOC, MIPTV, MIPJUNIOR and MIPCOM). During his tenure at Reed Midem, the TV division and the MIP markets have beaten business objectives and increased attendance figures annually since 2003, growing Reed Midem's TV business nearly 100%.

Paul has also overseen the evolution of the MIP markets. Today they include all forms of the TV/ film segment, digital content and the recently established advertising / ad agency / brands segment (Coca Cola, American Express, Ford and many others) that form an additional and important foundation for the growth of the international TV business. Today, the MIP markets and brands are responsible for well over €20 billion of annual transactional business for all participating companies.

Paul takes up his new role at Endemol in March and will be based in the company's offices in London, reporting to Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Endemol Group. He will support Chief Operating Officer Marco Bassetti and Chief Commercial Officer Tom Toumazis in their respective fields.

Ynon Kreiz comments: "Paul is a first class executive who has played a central role in making the MIP markets a defining part of the TV industry calendar. As our sector enters what is set to be an exceptionally challenging time, globally communicating brand messages and building successful brand partnerships will play an increasingly important role in achieving growth. We couldn't ask for a stronger candidate for this position and I very much look forward to having Paul on board."

Paul Johnson adds: "I am delighted to join Endemol and the impressive team Ynon is leading, which incorporates one of the strongest and most varied executive boards in the TV business. Brand partnerships and branded content, combined with the funding of television, are the object of intense debate and I greatly look forward to working with Endemol's worldwide group of companies on further building this part of the business. It will also be great to be closely involved with Endemol's continued and growing presence at the MIP markets and to work alongside the fantastic Reed Midem team I know so well, but from a different perspective."