Banijay names senior development exec to lead global format acquisitions

Helen Greatorex

Banijay has promoted one of its senior development execs to oversee its global format acquisition activity, following Carlotta Rossi-Spencer’s move to lead the production group’s branded content efforts.

Helen Greatorex becomes head of format acquisitions and continues to report into global head of content development, James Townley.

She had been senior global development producer at Banijay since September 2021, working with group prodcos in key territories to support unscripted pipelines and before that worked as a format manager on brands including Big Brother, Hunted and Temptation Island.

Prior to that, Greatorex had been group acquisitions manager for Endemol Shine Group between 2014 and 2020, prior to being bought by Banijay. She also spent almost nine years at analyst firm K7 Media.

Townley said: “Helen has long been an integral part of the team and it’s great to have her taking on the acquisition reins. Her content know-how is extensive, and her ability to recognise an emerging hit is like no other, so I can’t think of anyone better placed to guide this area of the business.”

Greatorex added: “It’s been great to explore other areas of the business over the past few years, but I’m pleased to be back in the acquisitions hot seat. There is so much opportunity to drive even greater creativity through having a good grasp on what’s going on outside our walls, and I’m looking forward to bringing that knowledge into the group to further strengthen our own offering, and supplement our production pipeline with undiscovered IP.”

Banijay yesterday confirmed that previous format acquisition chief Rossi Spencer had moved to become head of branded content business development, reporting into chief strategy officer, Marie Schweitzer.