FremantleMedia hires Zodiak’s Ardal to run Blu

FremantleMedia has poached former Zodiak exec Kim Ardal to become managing director of its Danish production arm Blu.

Ardal will return to Blu, where he previously worked  before setting up his own production company Look Entertainment in 2005.

This comes a few months after FremantleMedia completed the full acquisition of the production company; the international producer and distributor had held a majority stake since 2005 but acquired a further 25% stake in April 2010.

Ardal, who will join the company in April 2011, will report to Daniela Matei, chief executive, Nordics, Central and Eastern Europe and Balkans, FremantleMedia. He was most recently vice president, Nordic, Zodiak Television.

Blu produces Danish versions of a number of international formats including X Factor, Idols, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole in the Wall.