Helga Eike Rejoins Authentic as New President

Authentic Entertainment’s co-founder and CEO Lauren Lexton is leaving the company, with former head of development Helga Eike set to return to the production outfit as its new president.

Eike, who most recently launched Red Bandit Media, previously spent ten years at Authentic Entertainment as the senior VP of development. At Red Bandit Media, Eike produced two seasons of Texas Cake House for Food Network, I Should Have Known for TLC and a range of projects in development at top networks, including Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, OWN and Lifetime, in the company’s first two years.

Lexton founded Authentic Entertainment with Tom Rogan in 2000 and sold the company to Endemol Shine in 2010. Authentic Entertainment is now a division of Endemol Shine North America. Lexton oversaw the creation and production of hit shows such as Ace of Cakes, Knife Fight, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Flipping Out!, Best Thing I Ever Ate, Toddlers & Tiaras and this year’s return of Trading Spaces for TLC.

“Lauren has developed and produced some of the most iconic unscripted series of the last two decades and helped build Authentic Entertainment into one of the leading production companies in our industry,” said Endemol Shine North America’s CEO, Cris Abrego. “We are all truly thankful for her many contributions.

“And while we say a fond farewell to Lauren, we are happy to welcome Helga back to the studio that she helped lead to tremendous success, developing many of Authentic’s top series during her previous tenure.”

“Helga helped build Authentic, so it’s perfect that she will now run it,” stated Lexton. “She’s one of the smartest people I know and I’m excited to see her take Authentic to new heights. I can’t imagine a better story to tell than this one. I’m also thrilled that Authentic will continue to be a female-led company.”

Eike added, “Authentic was my first home. I love the brand and I am beyond thrilled to return to the fold. Lauren has been a mentor to me and I am honored to take over the leadership role she has shined in over the last 18 years. Authentic is one of the originals, a production company that has withstood the test of time, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue and guide it into its third decade.”