Endemol Shine North America Sets New Executive Structure

LOS ANGELES: Endemol Shine North America has put in place its new executive management team, including Ben Samek as COO and Eden Gaha as president of unscripted television at Endemol Shine USA.

Samek, who was formerly COO for Endemol North America, reports to both Charlie Corwin and Cris Abrego, the co-chairmen and co-CEOs of the company. Gaha, who was previously the president of unscripted television at Shine America, will also report to Abrego and Corwin.

Rob Smith, who has been executive VP of creative affairs, has been promoted to the position of executive VP, head of unscripted television and will work alongside, and report to, Gaha. Vivi Zigler, who was previously president of Shine 360° & Digital, Shine America, has been named president of digital, brand and audience development for Endemol Shine North America and will report to Abrego and Corwin. Will Keenan remains president of Endemol Beyond USA, reporting to Zigler.

Carolyn G. Bernstein, the executive VP of scripted programming at Shine America, and Jeremy Gold, the executive VP of creative affairs at Endemol Studios, will continue in their current roles in the newly merged Endemol Shine Studios. Both Bernstein and Gold will report to Corwin and Abrego.

Philippe Maigret, who played a key role in launching and establishing Endemol Studios and had served as its CEO since August 2011, is stepping down and transitioning into a consultancy role.

John Farrell will serve as general counsel for Endemol Shine North America. Farrell previously served in the same capacity at Endemol USA. He reports to both Abrego and Corwin. Paul Jennings, who has been Endemol North America's CFO, will serve in the same capacity for Endemol Shine North America, reporting to both Abrego and Corwin.

Joe Schlosser, who was previously senior VP of communications at Shine America, has been named senior VP of communications at Endemol Shine North America, reporting to both Abrego and Corwin. Denise Rodine, who joined Endemol North America this past year as VP of human resources, will continue in that role for Endemol Shine North America and report to Samek.

As previously announced, CORE Media Group will continue to retain its own capital structure within the new joint venture, led by Peter Hurwitz as president.

"Endemol Shine combines the creative spirit of independence with the global scale of a major studio. With a wide variety of hit formats and the top international sales operation in the world, our company is fast becoming the destination for innovative talent in scripted, unscripted and digital genres,” said Corwin and Abrego. “We are thrilled to announce the incredible new executive team in North America that will help lead our company into the future."