Talpa hires Sanoma Media chief as CCO and SBS CEO

Peter de Mönnink

TV format producer and broadcaster Talpa Holding has hired Sanoma Media BeNe CEO Peter de Mönnink.

The veteran executive will become chief commercial officer of Talpa Holding and CEO of its subsidiary broadcaster, SBS, on January 11 next year.

The position is a new one, and comes soon after Talpa became the sole owner of SBS, with Finland-based Sanoma selling out.

Previously, Sanoma, which is primarily a magazine publisher, was the 67% majority owner of the broadcaster, but sold its stake for €237 million.

De Mönnink has been working for both Talpa and SBS since July, when the deal closed. He will remain in the dual role until the end of the year.

“Peter has led the complex transformation of Sanoma Media BeNe businesses very successfully,” said Susan Duinhoven, president and CEO of Sanoma.

“His transition to Talpa is an anticipated and logical next step for both him and the Sanoma business,” he added.

De Mönnink has been CEO of SBS since late 2014, when he replaced Hans Edin.

A spokesperson for The Voice creator Talpa said hiring the former Reed Business International CEO was part of an extension the company board, with CTO Hylke Sprangers and chief strategy officer Joost Galjart also nominated.

Already on the top table is Talpa founder John de Mol, CEO Pim Schmitz, chief corporate officer Barry Masclee and CFO Shaho Baboeram Panday.

“We are currently busy developing into a new local multimedia company with strong positions in television, radio and online,” said de Mol. “An important part of this is daily management.

“Peter de Mönnink has demonstrated to Sanoma through his role as CEO of SBS that he is capable of responding to the changing media landscape.”

“Talpa is one of the most inspirational media companies in the Netherlands, which is reflected in its strong brands and staff,” said de Mönnink.

“It’s a turbulent era in the media, and right now, Talpa is setting a growth strategy to build a strong local cross-media media company. Of course, it’s great to see that and to help shape that strategy.”