FME Hires Consultant for Drama Efforts

LONDON: Nathalie Drouaire has been brought on to serve in a consultancy role at FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), to lead the development of an English-language drama slate with international co-financing.

Effective immediately, Drouaire will be working alongside FME’s London and Los Angeles acquisitions and development teams, liaising with existing U.K., European and U.S. third-party producers and broadcasters, along with sourcing new opportunities. She is tasked with driving co-financing and co-production opportunities from FME’s current slate, looking to create new English-language drama series with international appeal and package long-form content for production. She is initially charged with delivering returning franchises, event drama and mini-series to FME’s global rights business. She reports to David Ellender, the global CEO of FME.

Ellender commented, “FME is in a unique role to be able to provide deficit financing for development and co-productions. Drouaire has developed an impressive network of first hand relationships with both international partners as well as broadcasters alike over the course of her distinguished career. Her expertise in development, acquisitions, co-production structuring as well as running her own production and distribution company are immensely valuable as FME continues to increase its global drama portfolio.”

Added Drouaire, “After 20 years working in the international entertainment industry, the timing is perfect for me to join as renowned a company as FME. My passion for content and strong desire to be at the forefront of new drama series development will not only contribute to FME’s current slate, but will see us together introducing great new content to the marketplace. Being able to work with David is a rare opportunity and I am inspired by the global vision he has for the company.”

Drouaire began her career at M6, where she served a 15-year tenure. Following M6, she was named head of acquisitions for the Canal+ Group. She set up her own company in 2006, Zen Productions, where she development international event co-productions.