Mark Lawrence joins Endemol to run channels business

Endemol has hired former NBC Universal acquisitions executive Mark Lawrence. He will run the production and distribution giant’s new channels business, TBI has learnt.

Lawrence, who was previously head of acquisitions at NBC Universal’s international channels arm, has joined the formats giant as head of channels across Europe. He will be responsible for launching new channels across the region as Endemol looks to expand into the networks business.

This comes as Endemol launched a joint venture channel with MTV Networks in Poland. However, Lawrence is not directly responsible for the launch of this channel, Blink, but will be involved as the two companies hope to roll it out internationally.

Lawrence, who joined NBC Universal when the studio acquired Sparrowhawk Media’s bouquet of channels including the Hallmark channel, left the US studio in January.