Fremantle’s Original Productions has hired Kagan 7’s producer and development exec Jeff Stepp (pictured) as its vice president of development. In his new role Stepp will report to Original’s VP of programming and development Brian Lovett, who joined the company in August. Stepp will cultivate new original intellectual property for Original and work with the […]
Nordic Entertainment Group-owned Nice Drama has appointed Mikael Newihl as its head of development. Newihl has shuffled to Nice Drama from NENT Group, where he has worked for seven years, most recently as VP of Nordic drama. The exec is behind poplar Viaplay titles such as The Lawyer, Conspiracy of Silence and Black Lake. Newihl […]
Tandem Productions, a Studiocanal company, and Bron Studios are set to produce a gritty dramatic thriller from The Bridge (pictured) writer Måns Mårlind. The two production outfits will co-produce the eight-part series with Germany’s ZDF. It will be co-financed by a line-up of major international networks, including Viaplay, CCanal+, Canal + Poland and Holland’s NPO. Set […]
LA-based unscripted specialist Original Productions (OP) has hired Jeff Hasler to serve as president of the FremantleMedia-owned firm. Hasler will supervise and lead all development, production, business and strategic aspects of the company with the support of Ernie Avila, COO and EVP, business affairs and Sarah Whalen, EVP development and programming, both of whom will […]
Philip Segal is to leave FremantleMedia North America-owned Original Productions this spring. Segal will exit his CEO post at the end of his current contract, with Original COO and executive VP of business affairs Ernie Avila and EVP of development and programming Sarah Whalen taking over in the interim. Original sits alongside unscripted prodcos such […]
Craig Cegielski and Jennifer Mullin have been named co-CEOs of FremantleMedia North America to replace current incumbent Thom Beers (pictured left). Cegielski (right) is currently executive VP, scripted programming and Mullin (below, left) EVP of current programming. They will step up when Beers exits upon the end of his contract this summer, both reporting to […]
The US-based content division of UK commercial broadcaster ITV has inked an overall and first-look deal with Justin Killion (pictured), the exec who developed and sold fact-ent series including Storage Wars. He will develop and exec produce series for ITV Studios and has also brought on development exec Tim Urian to work with him. Killian […]
Ice Road Truckers producer Thom Beers has been appointed as chief executive officer, FremantleMedia North America. Beers, who was previously chief executive of Original Productions, which he sold a stake to FremantleMedia in 2009, will assume the role at the start of September. He replaces and reports to Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia, who […]
