Antenna Group adds ex-MTG exec as M&A boss

European broadcaster Antenna Group has appointed former Modern Times Group executive Gerd Utecht as head of mergers and acquisitions and investments.

Utecht will oversee all deals, investments and partnerships. He joins from MTG where he led a number of major acquisitions and divestitures across the company’s footprint – most recently including its 2015 purchase of a controlling stake in European multi-channel network Zoomin.TV.

Commenting on the hire, Antenna Group managing director Pete Smith said that Utecht’s investment insights will “help us tremendously to execute our ambitious growth strategy”.

Antenna is currently expanding its global presence and has recently invested in a number of global media companies including Vice Media and Imagine Entertainment.

“Antenna Group has a fantastic track record and is in a great position to capitalise on the dramatic changes in the media and entertainment sector,’’ said Utecht.

Antenna operates a portfolio of media assets including free-to-air TV and pay TV channels, online and digital ventures, TV production, and radio stations.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, the group employs more than 2,600 staff in Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Romania, the US, Australia, the UK, and the Netherlands. The Kryiakou family initially launched Antenna in Greece.