Endemol Beyond US president exits in rejig

Endemol Beyond USA’s president, Will Keenan, is exiting the Endemol Shine North American firm and has been replaced in the interim by his number two.

Keenan is leaving the role after almost two years at the multichannel network, with COO Adrian Sexton adding an interim president title to his role.

Keenan is credited with attracting talent such as Michelle Phan and Toby Turner to the Endemol Shine Group-owned YouTube channels network. There was no word on his next move.

“Clearly we are all going to miss Will and we truly appreciate everything that he has done to successfully launch Endemol Beyond here in the US,” said Vivi Zigler, president, digital, brand and audience development, Endemol Shine North America.

The news comes just a week after Georg Ramme was promoted to group managing director of Endemol Beyond USA parent Endemol Beyond, which was launched with a €30 million (US$33.4 million) cash injection in 2013.

Sexton joined the company in September last year to oversee strategic partnerships, investments, business development, sales and distribution.

He joined the firm from US group Participant Media, and also was head of digital and business development at Lionsgate Entertainment.

“Adrian has a wealth of experience, having already led some of the top digital studios in our industry and he’s done a terrific job as our COO since joining Endemol Beyond USA last fall,” said Zigler.

Furthermore, Maker Studios alumnus Rico Martinez has renewed his contract as senior VP, creative, creative, while lifestyle programming chief Leslie Morgan has been promoted to VP, programming.