Banijay appoints French CEO, Endemol Shine’s Nicolas Coppermann to step down

François de Brugada

Banijay has said François de Brugada will continue in his role as CEO of the production giant’s operations in France, with Endemol Shine France’s president Nicolas Coppermann stepping down.

Brugada, a former head of unscripted commissining at broadcaster M6, will oversee all operations for Banijay France, recently expanded following the completion of the Endemol Shine deal last month.

He has been with Banijay since its inception in 2008, holding roles including EVP for content and later becoming COO, before being appointed to become CEO in 2015.

Banijay said Coppermann, president of EndemolShine France, would step down from his role at the end of July, Brugada taking up an interim MD position alongside his CEO responsibilities.

Banijay France portfolio

Banijay France now comprises 10 entities following the $2.2bn acquisition of Endemol Shine, including Adventure Line Productions, Endemol Shine France, Banijay Studios France, H20 Productions, Banijay Production Media, KM Productions and Banijay Productions France, amongst others.

Its shows include brands including Koh Lanta, Fort Boyard, Taratata, Miss France, Les 12 Coups De Midi, Touche Pas à Mon Poste, 28 Minutes, Les Enfants De La télé, Les Marseillais and Une Saison Au Zoo.

Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti said: “François has been with Banijay since the start. Playing a significant role in the globalisation of the business from the word go, he has gone on to build an incredibly strong footprint for us in France. A first-class strategic and commercially-minded player, he is well-placed to lead the local group through this exciting phase of change and growth.”

Nicolas Coppermann

Brugada added: “Banijay France has long been the home of some of the nation’s best talent and I am honoured to be welcoming a host of new creative entrepreneurs into the fold. Combining the strengths of both groups, I hope that Banijay France will continue to be a renowned home for the top brands in the country and IP that travels the globe.

“A special thanks goes to Nicolas who has built a strong operation in EndemolShine France and successfully put the brand on the scripted map in France.”

Accelerated appointments

The swift appointment of Brugada to head up Banijay’s French division is the latest signal that the giant production firm is keen to put its own management team in place at pace.

Endemol Shine’s CEO Sophie Turner Laing formally left the merged company last week, while strategy & commercial officer Wim Ponnet is also understood to be departing, as revealed by TBI.

Banijay has also already named former Endemol Shine International (ESI) sales chief Cathy Payne to head Banijay Rights, with her arrival coming earlier this year. Former ESI chief financial officer John Richards has also moved to the same role at Banijay’s sales arm.

Brugada’s installation to head up Banijay France also comes in contrast to the appointment of Coppermann at Endemol Shine France. He only took up the role in 2016, more than two years after the merger of Endemol and Shine, with France the last international territory where the production and distribution group had not unified its operations.