Endemol Shine formats buyer exits for new venture

Endemol Shine Group’s head of format acquisitions, Erik de Winter, is leaving the company to launch a content arm at advertising firm Dentsu Aegis Network, TBI has learned.

Acquisitions manager Helen Cooper has been promoted to group acquisitions manager and will assume de Winter’s responsibilities at Endemol Shine.

Staff were informed of de Winter’s departure in an internal note from Endemol Shine Creative Networks managing director Lisa Perrin issued last night.

“It’s a great opportunity for Erik and one where I’m sure our paths will cross again,” said Perrin, adding Cooper would “excel” in her new role.

An Endemol Shine rep confirmed de Winter’s departure today.

De Winter will leave Endemol Shine later this month after a handover period that will leave Cooper as first point of contact for all third party acquisitions.

He is joining the Amsterdam branch of Dentsu Aegis Network to launch Storylab, a content division that will sit within global advertising and marketing agency Dentsu.

De Winter replaced Grant Ross as head of formats acquisitions in April 2014, with the latter joining Zodiak Media (now Banijay Group) soon afterwards.

The news comes a week after Endemol Shine shocked the industry by announcing BBC Studios director Peter Salmon was joining to become chief creative officer at the 21^st Century Fox- and Apollo Global Management-owned production-distribution giant.

In related Endemol Shine news, one of the firm’s UK prodcos, Dragonfly, is producing a one-hour documentary for BBC One about the impact of a new screening test that is said to detect Down’s Syndrome in 99% of pregnancies.