Magnolia’s Leonardo Pasquinelli to Lead Endemol Shine Italy

Leonardo Pasquinelli, the head of Banijay Group’s Magnolia, has been tapped as CEO of Endemol Shine Italy, replacing Paolo Bassetti.

Pasquinelli will take up his new role in the next few months. After spending time as an executive producer, Pasquinelli became head of light entertainment at Mediaset in 1997. In 2004 he joined Endemol Italia, moving up to VP in 2008. He became CEO of Magnolia in 2014.

Meanwhile, Stefano Torrisi has been appointed executive VP of Magnolia. He is currently executive VP of Banijay Spain, overseeing the business’ content and commercial development. His expanded position will see him take on the same duties for local operations in Italy, as well as leadership of Magnolia.

CEO Sophie Turner Laing commented: “Endemol Shine Italy has flourished under Paolo’s leadership, particularly in recent years. He leaves with our huge thanks and appreciation from the whole group for his passion and dedication throughout his time with the company, both on set and in the office. His legacy will be a creative, prolific and collaborative team in place to build on these achievements. We are delighted to welcome Leonardo to Endemol Shine; he is an accomplished program-maker and executive whose experience, both previously with Endemol and more recently with Magnolia, could not be more ideal for the role of leading this team forward.”

Bassetti said: “It has been a privilege to work with such an extraordinary team and I could not be prouder of all that we have accomplished together. ESG taught me so much both at an international and national level. I will never stop thanking them. But after nearly 20 years with Endemol in its different phases, I believe now is the time to take a break and undertake a new chapter in my life to find new experiences.”

Pasquinelli noted: “I’ve greatly enjoyed my time at Magnolia, and would like to thank the many talented colleagues I’ve worked with for their support. I am very happy to be joining Endemol Shine; I clearly knew Endemol well and respect the current Endemol Shine team and all they have achieved. It is a great opportunity and I look forward to getting underway.”

Peter Langenberg, the COO of Banijay Group and chairman of Magnolia Italy, stated: “I’m delighted that Stefano will be expanding his role to encompass two key markets in which his production experience is second to none.”

Langenberg added: “I would also like to thank Leonardo Pasquinelli for his valuable contribution to the group. Leonardo has led Magnolia Italy to a leading position in the local market in both creating and producing original formats. I wish him all the very best in his new projects.”