TV-Loonland CEO Steps Down

MUNICH/LONDON: TV-Loonland has confirmed the resignation of its CEO, Simon Flamank, who as of next month is joining Handmade as COO and CFO to kick-start its kids’ production and distribution efforts.

On Friday, Handmade announced the launch of HandMade Kids, a new division, the acquisition of New York-based Animation Collective, a proposed merger with National Geographic Kids Entertainment and a deal with Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson for the rights to her kids’ properties. Flamank takes up his new role at Handmade December 2. He has been with TV-Loonland since April 2006. His successor has not yet been announced.

“The last three and a half years have been both the most rewarding and also the most difficult for TV-Loonland," Flamank said. "Despite many obstacles we have been able to bring to the market quality new productions such as The Owl, Pat & Stan and of course our internationally recognised brand Little Princess. At the same time we have had to restructure the business and were able to achieve that through a cancellation of 14 million euros of debt in a debt for equity swap alongside the repayment of the remaining 6 million euros of debt through a library and asset sale. None of this would have been possible without the support of all of the members of staff both past and present who have lived through this transformation and have made it happen. At the same time the support of the principal shareholder group and also that of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Dr Michael Briem, have been invaluable in resolving all of the issues that have confronted this business over this time period."

Flamank added that next month’s Extraordinary General Meeting would mark "a new chapter in TV-Loonland’s history."