Humphrey to reunite with Namiech at Passion

Jimmy Humphrey will reunite with his former Banijay International boss Emmanuelle Namiech by joining UK-based Passion Distribution.

The exec will become head of acquisitions at the Tinopolis Group-owned sales outfit on August 1.

Reporting to Namiech, who succeeded Sally Miles as Passion chief executive earlier this year, Humphrey (pictured) will oversee the development, acquisition and distribution roll out of Passion’s programming.

At Banijay International, Humphrey was VP, sales and acquisitions, primarily buying formats in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and selling into Scandinavia, North America and Asia Pacific. His acquisitions included Billy Connolly’s Tracks Across America, the 7 Wonder-produced ITV series, and BBC factual entertainment format Phone Shop Idol.

He and Namiech were among the executives who left Banijay Group’s sales arm after it merged with Zodiak Media. TBI revealed his departure, along with the news various others were set to exit, in March.

One of those who left, Siobhan Herriot, recently joined The New Flemish Primitives as head of sales, while global sales chief Michael Jackson joined Canada’s Blue Ant International as senior director, international sales and acquisitions.

Humphrey had joined Banijay from Shine International (now part of Endemol Shine International) in 2013. He has also worked at FremantleMedia.

“I’m absolutely delighted at the prospect of working with Jimmy again and to add him to the talented Passion Distribution team,” said Namiech. “Jimmy brings solid experience across different programming genres, has hands-on global market knowledge and a great understanding of both creative and commercial opportunities.

“He will be instrumental in continuing Passion Distribution’s first-class relationships with leading independent producers around the world.”

Humphrey said he planned to “forge new relationships with producers and broadcasters all over the world to bring fresh, unique content into Passion’s already diverse catalogue”.