Ex-Banijay sales boss to lead Passion

Former Banijay Group sales boss Emmanuelle Namiech has been named CEO of Passion Distribution.

Multiple sources had indicated ex-Banijay International managing director Namiech would be named in the post, and Tinopolis-owned Passion has now confirmed the news.

Namiech exited Banijay Group as it completed its merger with Zodiak Media, with the latter’s head of sales, Tim Mutimer, named in the same role at the new-look company, as TBI revealed last month.

The Banijay International brand was dropped at the same time, with Banijay Group preferring the Zodiak Rights moniker for its sales unit.

At Passion, Namiech replaces Sally Miles, whose departure was announced in January.

Sources have suggested Miles is looking at launching a new company, just as she did with Passion and ID Distribution, which was sold to DRG in June 2007.

Namiech takes up her post on May 3, at which point she will be in charge of a catalogue that includes the upcoming reboot of battlebot format Robot Wars, which is in production for BBC Two at the moment.

She will work alongside global head of sales Elin Thomas and MD Nick Rees, who will stay in charge of day-to-day operations.

Her previous roles include managing director of Target Entertainment, senior VP of content acquisitions and development at FremantleMedia and director of acquisitions and coproduction at ITV Studios Global Entertainment.