Endemol Names Dutch Managing Director

LONDON: Laurens Drillich will be the new managing director at the Endemol Netherlands Media Group starting this summer.

Drillich is currently the creative director at Endemol, and will take over the new position when Peter Adrichem steps down July 31, 2012. Drillich will oversee all of Endemol Netherlands Media Group’s production brands, which includes Endemol Netherlands, SNP Media, 625 TV Production, TVBV, HaagseBluf and S&V Fiction.

Martha Brass, the managing director of international operations at Endemol Group, commented: "Laurens has the perfect profile to expand our activities in the Netherlands. He has vision and ambition and combines creative talent with business instinct. Furthermore, he knows our company inside out and has extensive experience both in broadcasting and production. I am in no doubt that Endemol Netherlands Media Group will greatly benefit from having a professional of his caliber at the helm."

Drillich said: "I am extremely excited about this opportunity. Over the past two years I have got to know the company and the people and have liked all I’ve seen. Everything here is about creativity and we are in good shape. The company is future-proof and performing very well. I’d also like to thank Peter Adrichem for his great contribution to this success."

Adrichem added: "When I started, the Board of Directors and I agreed that I would stay for three years. The main goals were to renew the organization, to merge the Dutch Endemol companies and to increase competitiveness. This was an intensive process, which has made us a stronger company. The Endemol Netherlands Media Group is now in very good shape. Now that the company is moving to the next phase, it feels like the right time for me to move on. I will miss my colleagues, but I also look forward to the opportunities ahead."

Just Spee, the CFO of Endemol Group, commented: "Peter has successfully modernized our Dutch business. He guided the organization through the economic crisis and laid a strong foundation for the future. His contribution to the international Endemol network has meant a lot to us. I want to thank Peter and wish him every success."