Endemol Names Global Programming Chief

HILVERSUM, September 11:
Paul Römer has been tapped as the global head of programming at Endemol, which
sees him exiting his position as the managing director of the company’s Dutch
operations.

Römer will manage the
Global Creative Team, a network of creative executives at Endemol operations
around the world, and will lead the acquisition of third-party IP, among other
responsibilities. He is a 12-year-veteran of Endemol and was part of the team
that led the development of Big Brother. Römer was the executive producer of the first Dutch Big Brother in 1999, as well as the first U.S. version in
2000. Since 2002, Römer has served as the managing director of Endemol
Netherlands.

He takes up his new
position January 1, reporting to Endemol CEO Ynon Kreiz, and working closely
with COO Marco Bassetti and new chief commercial officer, Tom Toumazis.

Kreiz commented: “Paul’s
outstanding track record has earned him a well deserved reputation in the
industry as a creative pioneer and a highly skilled commercial operator. He has
played a longstanding and central role in Endemol’s success in the Netherlands
as well as being a core part of the group’s international team. I’m delighted
to have him at the helm of our creative process as we prepare for our next
phase of growth."

Bassetti added: “Having
worked with Paul for many years within Endemol’s Global Creative Team I am in
no doubt that he is the right person for this role. He has made a significant
contribution to Endemol’s success in innovating global entertainment properties
and couldn’t be better qualified to lead our creative network.”

Römer stated:
"Creativity is at the heart of everything we do here at Endemol. The
entire business is dependent on the ideas that come from the company’s
exceptional team of creative talent around the world. I’ve always felt
extremely lucky to be a part of that team and I’m thrilled to be taking on this
new role at such an exciting time for the group."

—By Mansha Daswani