MUMBAI: Endemol, the world?s largest independent TV and digital media production house, has re-organised its commercial and global brands business.

A newly created Group Commercial Board comprising senior Endemol executives from around the world has been established in place of Endemol Worldwide Brands (EWB). Former EWB Regional Director International Branco Scherer has been promoted to the new board as executive director, commercial affairs.

His role will be to liaise and coordinate with Endemol?s commercial teams around the world and to ensure that ideas and information are shared across the Group.

Scherer reports to Lucas Church who becomes chair of the group commercial board in addition to his ongoing role as Endemol UK CEO.

Former EWB executives based in Endemol?s offices around the world will now report directly to local MDs in each territory whilst working closely with Branco Scherer and his team.

The re-organisation mirrors Endemol?s creative structure and more closely integrates the company?s commercial and creative activities, giving greater control to the Group?s local operations around the world.

Endemol Group president Tim Hincks said, "Our aim with these changes is to continue expanding our day-to-day commercial business locally whilst sharing ideas across the Group about the big opportunities for Endemol in today?s fast changing global market."

Endemol?s recent commercial projects include partnerships with YouTube for specialised channels in European territories; an online play along game for the format ?The Money Drop?, which has so far had over 18 million players across 15 territories and over 30 million games played; an iPhone game for blockbuster format Wipeout, which ranked for three weeks as number one premium app on the iTunes app store in the US; and a wide range of digital brand extensions and onscreen product placement deals for shows such as ?Deal or No Deal? and ?Big Brother?.

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol has announced that the management board, comprising CEO Just Spee and President Tim Hincks, has appointed a new Management Committee to focus on overseeing and supporting the business on a day-to-day basis.

Martha Brass, formerly MD of international operations, joins the Management Committee as the Group?s COO. Brass will continue to oversee emerging markets whilst taking operational responsibility for additional territories including Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe.

Edwin van Es, formerly Group finance director, joins the management committee as CFO, overseeing all the Group?s finance activities including controlling, accounting, tax and treasury.

Global Head of Legal and Corporate Secretary Boudewijn Beusmans will also join the new committee.

Beusmans, Brass and van Es will all continue to report to Just Spee.

Spee said, "The new management committee brings together a team of people who are highly experienced and extremely effective in their respective fields. This new structure will help us to focus on the key strategic drivers of the business as we look to continue the growth and diversification Endemol achieved throughout 2012."

Endemol created and launched over 50 new formats for broadcasters around the world last year, whilst also growing its distribution catalogue to 29,000 hours of content spanning all genres. In addition the company?s growing drama and comedy slate now includes US and UK productions such as ?Ripper Street? (BBC One), ?Hell On Wheels? (AMC), ?Benidorm? (ITV1), ?Black Mirror? (Channel 4); forthcoming series such as ?Red Widow? (ABC), ?Low Winter Sun? (AMC) and ?Peaky Blinders? (BBC Two); and a range of scripted output in territories including India, Australia, Russia, Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Spain and Argentina.

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol COO Virginie Calmels has resigned.

She joined Endemol in September 2003.

Endemol CEO Just Spee said, "Virginie did a great job in the different roles she held within the group, and I wish her the very best for her future."

MUMBAI: Television trade event MipTV has announced that Global Entertainment producer Endemol president Tim Hincks will deliver a keynote speech on Monday 8 April 2013 as part of MipTV?s Media Mastermind Keynote Series. Organised by Reed Midem, MipTV will take place in Cannes, 8-11 April 2013.

In his MipTV address, Hincks will discuss how creativity is affected by the radical changes taking place in the industry today. As Endemol Group president, he is responsible for the creation and commercial exploitation of content across the company?s worldwide network. This incorporates operations in 31 territories annually producing more than 400 series in genres including entertainment, reality TV, game shows, comedy, drama, sport, kids programming, factual, docu-dramas and features.

Hincks was appointed Endemol Group president in May 2012. The company?s international shows include ?Big Brother?, ?Deal or No Deal?, ?Wipeout? and ?Your Face Sounds Familiar?. A growing drama portfolio also includes ?Hell on Wheels?, ?Hot in Cleveland? and ?Leverage?.

MUMBAI: Television production house Endemol India has elevated Sameer Gogate to business head of Films division.

Based out of Mumbai, Gogate will play a pivotal role in shaping Endemol?s entry into mainstream Bollywood and the southern film industry.

Gogate had recently returned to Endemol as VP- commercial and strategy.

Endemol India had recently announced the remake of Vidya Balan starrer ?Kahaani? in Tamil and Telugu by director Sekhar Kammula. Going forward, Endemol India will be producing three to four films every year with an equal mix of scripts for regional as well as mainstream Bollywood audiences.

Endemol India CEO Deepak Dhar said, ?We are delighted to have Sameer Gogate in this new role. At the onset of expanding our portfolio, experienced professionals like him will only prove to be an asset in spearheading our ambitious plans of establishing the films division.?

Gogate said, ?The company is at the cusp of creating a new ecosystem for films across genres and languages. I look forward to taking Endemol India into this exciting new phase as we take our strides into the business of cinema.?

Sameer was previously associated with Viacom18 Motion Pictures as director - commercial and strategy, where he was instrumental in putting together a new slate of films like Kahaani. He also managed the syndication business and strategic planning for the company.