Sales chief exits Absolutely Independent

The sales and marketing director of Netherlands-based formats house Absolutely Independent is exiting the company after nearly five years, TBI has learned.

Gertjan van Valen has told colleagues he was exiting last week and that company CEO Patty Geneste and other staff members will assume his duties in the short term.

TBI understands he is moving to a new company next month.

Most recently, he was shopping formats such as Teen Mom, Celebrity Support and Rappers in the Snow at MIPTV. He also oversaw marketing for Absolutely, which was acquired by former 2waytraffic chief Kees Abraham’s new venture, Imagine Nation, last year.

“I am extremely lucky to have been able to learn and experience all about the business in a dynamic and energetic environment that is so typical for Absolutely Independent,” he said in an internal announcement.

Before joining Absolutely in September 2008, he sold programming at multi-media company 3CirclesMedia and was a producer at Endemol.