News

1 September 2010

ENDEMOL APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming, today announced the appointment of Lara El Haddad as Managing Director of the company’s operation in the Middle East.

Lara is a leading executive with eight years experience in the Middle Eastern television market.  As a recognized industry expert she has been working for an international consultancy, advising on programming strategies, drama commissioning, channel repositioning and scheduling. She has consistently worked at the highest level with leading producers and broadcasters across the region including LBC and ADMC.

In her new role at Endemol Lara's remit will include reviewing the company's business in the Middle East and planning for a new phase of growth and diversification in the region.

She is based at Endemol Middle East's offices in Dubai and Beirut and replaces outgoing Managing Director Ziad Kebbi who stepped down in August.

Martha Brass, Managing Director, International Operations at Endemol Group comments:  "We are extremely pleased to have someone of Lara's calibre in this role.  She has outstanding knowledge and experience and is an ideal candidate to take the success story of Endemol Middle East into a new chapter."

Lara El Haddad adds:  "Access to Endemol's global resources and content portfolio has been the key factor behind the success of Endemol Middle East.  The company couldn't be more strongly positioned to build on its achievements in supplying leading broadcasters across the region with a rich variety of ground breaking entertainment."

Endemol Middle East's productions include Ton of Cash for ADMC, Deal or No Deal and Fear Factor for El Hayat in Egypt, The Manager for Rotana and Wipeout for MBC.  Endemol Middle East is also working alongside Endemol Sport to produce in depth coverage for ADMC's HD English Premier League sports channels which launched on 13^th August and are broadcast across 22 countries.