More management changes at CME

CEE-focused broadcast group CME has appointed industry veteran Pavel Stanchev boss of its operations in Bulgaria.

He will replace Vicky Politova, who is leaving CME at the end of the month “to pursue other interests”.

Stanchev will oversee the free-to-air BTV channel in Bulgaria. He joins from Antenna South-East Europe where, as CEO, he has been managing the Greek-based group’s channels in Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia.

He has held numerous roles at broadcasters in the region including a stint as CEO of Nova in Bulgaria. He also served as the managing director of HBO Romania, RTL Croatia and Kanal D Romania.

Stanchev commented: “Joining BTV is a great challenge for me. I will employ all my energy and knowledge to strengthen the BTV Media Group as the leading television broadcaster in Bulgaria and the home of the most talented journalists and television professionals in the country.”

He will report to Christoph Mainusch, chairman of BTV and co-CEO of CME, who said: “[Stanchev’s] vast experience with media and entertainment companies in Central and Eastern Europe, and particularly in Bulgaria, provides an ideal stepping stone from which to carry-on the tradition of BTV’s market leadership in that country.”

Addressing Politova’s departure he added: “I would like to thank Vicky for her dedication to BTV in various roles since the station’s launch.”

The exec changes are the latest in a series at the company. Former CFO David Sach has left, as has Anthony Chhoy, executive VP, strategic planning and operations; Jan Andrusko, the general director of CME’s Czech commercial TV station, TV Nova; and Zuzana Tapakova as general director of TV Markiza in the Slovak Republic.

The wholesale senior management changes follow the resignation of Adrian Sarbu as CEO last year and Mainusch and Michael Del Nin (above) being appointed co-CEOs in his stead. They took charge in mid-September.