Formats boss leaves Sony Pictures Television

Ed Louwerse has left Sony Pictures Television, TBI has learned.

Louwerse, who left SPT last week, is one of the most experienced formats distribution executives in the international TV business having spent almost seven years at SPT after it acquired 2waytraffic. Prior to that he spent seven years at Endemol. Sony confirmed his departure to TBI.

Having been managing director of 2waytraffic international, Louwerse headed up formats sales at SPT after it acquired the company. Following SPT’s recent effort to combine its formats and finished programming sales teams Louwerse took a newly created product management role.

Prior to being bought by SPT, 2waytraffic acquired Celador International and picked up the Who Wants to be a Millionaire property and during Louwerse’s tenure at 2way and SPT the format was reinvigorated with commercial and on-air spin-offs. He also oversaw the sales efforts on SPT formats including Dragon’s Den, Raid the Cage and Dr Oz, which has been remade in almost twenty territories.

Louwerse told colleagues of his departure last week, noting that after two decades in the formats business he plans to take a short break before making his next move.

It is understood that SPT was keen to have the product management role based at its Culver City headquarters and the studio said that Amsterdam-based Louwerse’s position has been filled by Zorina Ohanian, who is based in the LA HQ.