ITV Studios Unveils Reorganization

ITV Studios has unveiled a new structure focused around three key businesses: creative network, led by Mike Beale; global entertainment, under Maarten Meijs; and global distribution, run by Ruth Berry.

With the restructure, the Talpa Media name will cease to exist and John de Mol is exiting the company. Maria Kyriacou is also leaving ITV Studios after nine years at the organization, taking up a new post to run the U.K. and Northern and Eastern European businesses at Viacom International Media Networks.

The new ITV Studios structure will be operational from January 2020. “In line with ITV’s More Than TV strategy, this reorganization allows us to capitalize on the opportunity of a growing content marketplace, and to drive more value from our award-winning content,” said Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios. “The centers of excellence strengthen ITV Studios potential to provide channel and platform partners with talked-about hit returning programs as well as building brands and franchises, in an increasingly competitive global market.”

The creative network segment is focused on driving creativity across ITV Studios’ 30-plus unscripted format labels, including Armoza Formats. It will be led by Mike Beale in London.

Global entertainment will focus on unscripted format sales and exploitation, representing the slates of Talpa Media, Armoza Formats, Twofour and the existing ITV Studios unscripted format catalog. Maarten Meijs, who previously ran Talpa Global, will run this segment out of the Netherlands.

Ruth Berry will continue to lead ITV Studios’ global distribution segment, overseeing sales teams around the world.

Talpa Netherlands (Talpa Content, Talpa Productions and Fictie), Mas Media and Vorst Media will integrate into ITV Studios Netherlands under Karin de Groot as CEO and Edwin van der Veen as COO. Talpa Middle East and Talpa Germany will integrate into ITV Studios and continue to be led by Ziad Kebbi. Talpa Germany continues to be led by Karsten Roeder.

COO David McGraynor will oversee all of ITV Studios commercial operations, including global entertainment and global distribution. Berry and Meijs will report to McGraynor.