Zodiak UK CEO Departing

LONDON: Joely Fether, the CEO of Zodiak UK and Benelux, is leaving the post after 16 years with the company, with David Frank, the CEO of Zodiak Media, taking over direct oversight.

Fether became CEO in 2010, after the acquisition of RDF Media by Zodiak Entertainment. Frank, whose remit is split between Paris and London, will retain the U.K. divisional infrastructure, though the heads of Zodiak’s U.K., Dutch and Belgian production companies will report directly to him.

Fether said: "I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of the RDF/Zodiak story, I joined a tiny production company back in 1997 and look now with huge pride at what we have achieved; from our very first productions, our IPO in 2005 and creation of a group, our MBO and the sale of RDF, our ability to combine business with great creativity but most of all to our incredible catalogue of programs and formats made over the years and around the world. It is an amazing sector which is redefining how we live and engage with media all the time, so after reengaging with my family and having an indecently long holiday to recover from the last 16 years… I have decided, with the division in really good shape, now is the time to look for new and even more exciting challenges! Huge thanks to everyone at Zodiak and to my work big brother David Frank who has mentored and looked out for me all these years."

Frank commented: “Joely and I have worked together since the earliest days of RDF and she will be missed by all, and particularly by me. As a friend and colleague she’s been utterly brilliant. We’ve experienced the highs and lows of the business together and always come through smiling. She did a great job taking on the complex integration of our businesses in the U.K., Holland and Belgium and I fully respect her decision now to move on. With her leaving, I’ve decided that it makes most sense for me to have a direct relationship with our content companies in what is the IP engine room of the group. She leaves me a well organized, happy team and it’s my job now to build on this foundation. I wish Joely the very best for the future, and know in whatever she chooses to do next someone will be lucky enough to benefit from her vast experience and humanity.”