Hindle restructures FremantleMedia’s digital operation

FremantleMedia has restructured its digital operations, putting several of its execs in senior positions.

The RTL-owned producer and distributor implemented a wide-ranging restructure earlier this year, part of which was creating a Digital and Branded Entertainment arm. Keith Hindle, who was previously CEO of the Americas for the company’s now defunct licensing and distribution arm FremantleMedia Enterprises, became CEO of the new unit.

The creation of Hindle’s new unit came after FremantleMedia shut its FMX digital division, with  CEO Claire Tavernier exiting the company.

Olivier Delfosse has been appointed the LA-based senior VP Digital for FremantleMedia Group, based in Los Angeles and reporting to Hindle. He was previously senior VP Digital for FremantleMedia Enterprises North America and credited for developing the digital activities around American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and The X Factor.

Tom Hoffman, also based in LA, becomes executive director of Digital & Social Media, reporting to Delfosse. He has previously worked on various FremantleMedia’s digital initiatives including comedy channel Atomic Wedgie and YouTube original channel The Pet Collective.

Jens-Uwe Bornemann becomes the Berlin-based vice president Digital, Continental Europe, under the new structure, reporting to Hindle. He will co-ordinate FremantleMedia’s European digital businesses and was previously vice president, Digital Ventures & Innovation at FremantleMedia’s German production arm UFA.

Katharine Lewis has been appointed senior VP Strategy & Operations for the company’s digital and branded entertainment activities having previously served as deputy MD for FremantleMedia’s Ventures group in London and senior VP business development for FremantleMedia Enterprises Americas.

She worked on FremantleMedia’s investments in Canada-based gaming company Ludia and digital content company @Radical Media and Hindle is on the record as stating he anticipates further M&A activity within the digital realm.

Robbie Spargo will remain as the London-based head of YouTube Activities as its channels and content attract widespread interest on the video platform.

FremantleMedia has already achieved a leading position on YouTube as the most viewed of any television producer, network, or movie studio worldwide, with 79.7 million monthly unique users in June 2013 alone, and over 4.5 billion views of FremantleMedia content globally in 2012. These activities are led by Robbie Spargo will remain as the London-based head of YouTube Activities, based in London and reporting to Hindle. Spargo’s team includes Development Executive Roy Henry and Project Manager Robert Cocker, who continue to work with local territories to grow the presence of FremantleMedia and partner brands worldwide.

Hindle commented: “I am delighted to have been able to bring on a crack team work with our highly skilled teams around the world”.

Further recruitment in the branded entertainment area will be announced in the near future, the company said.