Yellow Bird Sweden names new CEO, as Stefan Baron steps down

Jakob Feeney

Jakob Feeney has been promoted to CEO of Swedish scripted prodco Yellow Bird, following the departure of incumbent Stefan Baron.

Feeney has served as head of business development at the Banijay Nordic label since January and in his new role will oversee the company’s slate for the local and international market, seek new business opportunities, and lead the company’s team of in-house creative producers.

He will report to Banijay Nordic’s CEO, Jacob Houlind, and the region’s head of scripted, Johannes Jensen.

Feeney replaces current CEO Baron, who has decided to step down and leave the company. Baron similarly first joined as head of business development in 2018 and became CEO in November 2020.

Prior to Yellow Bird, Feeney was CEO and COO at Film Finances Scandinavia, and held senior roles at Bonnier Broadcasting and DLA Piper. He initially launched his career as a freelance film producer in 2006.

Yellow Bird is behind titles include corporate thriller Headhunters, which wlll launch on CMore next week, crime drama Bäckström, and Threesome. Other recent deals include a co-production with Yellow Bird UK on forthcoming Netflix series Playlist, along with an English-language version of The Truth Will Out, which will be developed in the US by Endemol Shine North America.

“With the ever-growing demand for Swedish content, plenty of projects in the pipeline, a portfolio of returning hits, and a brilliant team of in-house producers, there are significant opportunities ahead for Yellow Bird,” said Feeney.