Lexton leaves Authentic after 18 years

Lauren Lexton, co-founder of Authentic Entertainment, is set to leave the production company after 18 years.

She will be succeeded as CEO by Helga Eike, an Authentic veteran, who is set to return to the business having launched Red Bandit Media with ITV America.

Lexton leaves Authentic having overseen the creation of a number of successful unscripted and factual shows. On her watch, Authentic produced Ace of Cakes, Knife Fight, Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo, Flipping Out and Toddlers and Tiaras. Her most recent hit was the well received return of Trading Spaces for TLC.

“Lauren has developed and produced some of the most iconic unscripted series of the last two decades and helped build Authentic Entertainment into one of the leading production companies in our industry,” said Cris Abrego, CEO of Endemol Shine North America, Authentic’s parent. “We are all truly thankful for her many contributions.”

Having founded Authentic in 2000 with Tom Rogan, Lexton worked on thousands of hours of programming, spanning more than 80 shows for more than 20 different networks. She sold the business to Endemol in 2015 in 2010.

Abrego welcomed Eike’s return to Authentic, two years after she left to create Red Bandit Media. She had spent 10 years as Authentic’s SVP for Development. “We are happy to welcome Helga back to the studio that she helped lead to tremendous success, developing many of Authentic’s top series during her previous tenure,” Abrego said.

“Authentic was my first home,” Eike said. “I love the brand and I am beyond thrilled to return to the fold. Lauren has been a mentor to me and I am honored to take over the leadership role she has shined in over the last 18 years. Authentic is one of the originals, a production company that has withstood the test of time, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue and guide it into its third decade.”