Former BSkyB executive Sophie Turner Laing will take the helm of the TV production and distribution powerhouse being formed from the merger of Shine, Endemol and Core Media.
Laing, a former MD of content at the British satcaster, will be the new venture’s CEO.
While Endemol CEO Just Spee and Shine Group CEO Alex Mahon will remain in their posts for the time being, media reports suggest both will depart after the transaction is completed and the businesses are integrated. Core Media Group president Marc Graboff has already exited.
There is no word yet on the management structure of the merged Shine-Endemol entity in Australia. Mark Fennessy and Carl Fennessy are joint CEOs of Shine Australia and Janeen Faithfull is CEO of Endemol.
Nor is it yet clear whether Cathy Payne, CEO of Endemol Worldwide Distribution, will take Shine International, where Nadine Nohr is CEO, under her wing.
First announced in May, the merged entity controlled by 21st Century Fox and private equity firm Apollo Global Management will create the world’s biggest independent production company in scripted and non-scripted TV.
Core Media co-produces Fox’s American Idol via 19 Entertainment. The umbrella will include production banners Kudos, which makes Broadchurch, Princess Productions, Dragonfly, Tiger Aspect and Darlow Smithson.
Turner Laing spent 11 years with BSkyB, overseeing the launch of Sky Atlantic, Sky Living and Sky Arts, the partnership with HBO and an annual investment of £600 million ($A1.1 billion) on original British programming.