Nico Hofmann Becomes Sole CEO of Germany’s UFA Group

Nico Hofmann has taken on the role of sole CEO of the German production company UFA Group.

This move, which is effective immediately, follows a two-year transition period, announced back in September 2015, in which Wolf Bauer and Hofmann have headed UFA as co-CEOs. Hofmann has been responsible for more than 400 productions and has won international and national awards for several productions, including The Tunnel, Dresden, Storm Tide, Airlift, March of Millions, Generation War, Naked Among Wolves and, more recently, Ku’damm 56 and Charité.

Hofmann will assume overall management responsibilities for all operations and units within UFA, working very closely with FremantleMedia’s global network, including its worldwide production units and licensing and sales operations. He will continue to report into Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia Group, and will remain on FremantleMedia’s operating board.

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, the CEO of FremantleMedia Group, said: “Nico and Wolf have managed a smooth and successful transition, during which time UFA’s market position and global reputation have grown even further. Nico is one of Europe’s most visionary and respected drama producers and will—in this, its 100th anniversary year—take UFA to even greater heights. I would like to thank Wolf for his phenomenal contribution to UFA and to the industry as a whole, and to say how delighted I am that we will continue to benefit from his creativity and flair as he embarks on the next stage of his career.”

Nico Hofmann, the CEO of UFA-Group, said: “I am very honored that Cecile and Wolf are placing such great trust in me. Most of all, I am looking forward to continuing to work with a UFA team that guarantees me a high degree of support. Being able to work with this team makes me proud. Wolf has led UFA with passion and entrepreneurial vision, as well as continually writing television history with programming innovation after innovation. He is a visionary—but, above all, he is also a close friend to whom I owe a great deal of thanks. Together, we have successfully restructured UFA and placed an emphasis on the consistent development of our strong programming brands, daily dramas and show formats. For me, in the coming future, it is important to continue to push ahead in the high-end drama sector as well as to expand the digital business and to place even more emphasis on developing upcoming talent. Winning and retaining young, creative talent is not only an important way of securing our future—it is, for me, also a matter close to my heart.”