Paris – Marco Bassetti, former President of Endemol Group, has been appointed as CEO of Banijay Entertainment. Bassetti will now be responsible for the international development of Banijay Group, which currently has a turnover of US$500 million. He will seek to increase the presence of Banijay in its existing markets and develop business in new countries with strong growth potential. 

Bassetti founded Endemol Italy in 1997 and worked as Managing Director and then as President of Endemol Italy until 2004, when he stepped down in order to concentrate on several entrepreneurial activities in Italy and abroad. In 2007 he returned to Endemol Group as COO and was appointed President in 2009. He took over the CEO’s responsibilities for the Group during the restructuring process, stepping down in April 2012. 

At the same time, Banijay has acquired a 50% stake of Ambra Multimedia, a TV production company recently created by Bassetti in Italy, which will see the Group enter a further major European TV market.

It was also announced that Executive Vice President François de Brugada has been promoted to COO of Banijay Group.

Stéphane Courbit, President of Banijay Group, commented, “In five years, Banijay’s growth and success has exceeded our expectations and it is time to bring in a strong new presence with the skills and the energy to help us achieve our goal of being one of the top three companies in our industry. Marco is one of the most accomplished executives working in television today so along with the whole Banijay family I am thrilled to welcome him to the group and excited to work with him as we continue to grow and expand.”