Lagardere reorganises, poaches Canal+ exec

French media group Lagardère Entertainment has reorganised into four divisions and poached Thierry Langlois from Canal+.

The French firm will split its activities into TV production in France, international activity, programme distribution and digital production under the new structure.

Lagardere recently bought Spanish prodco Boomerang and is set on further international expansion.

Langlois, meanwhile, joins from pay TV leader Canal+ and becomes deputy CEO of the French unit, reporting to Lagardère Entertainment president, Takis Candilis.

He becomes the latest big name executive to lead the Vivendi-owned pay TV group after the ousting of CEO Rodolphe Belmer earlier this month.

Langlois was at France Televisions before Canal+. Speaking about his appointment, Candilis said: “Thierry has a perfect knowledge of market, whether public or private, the position he held at France Télévisions also the Canal + group. He has, moreover, a great mastery of all financing systems and regulation necessary for careers in production.”

Another key Lagardère hire is that of Charlotte Toledano-Detaille who will oversee a push into formats. The former Endemol and Banijay exec has been consulting for Newen and will become senior VP, format acquisition and content development at Lagardère Entertainment.

Other key executive roles post-reorganisation go to Elisabeth Arvieu-Bessière who is deputy CEO of development and M&A and Philippe Perthuis, who is managing director in charge of operations.