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As expected, Ben Samek has been named CEO of Banijay America, the combined structure created following Banijay Entertainment’s recent merger with All3Media.
Samek will report to Banijay Entertainment deputy chief executive
officer Jane Turton. Meanwhile, Banijay Entertainment has also launched Banijay Latin America, for production businesses and activities in the region. Laurens Drillich will serve as CEO, while Samek continues to serve as a board member and consultant to the group.
“Ben is a hugely experienced leader who has grown and diversified Banijay America, adding a fast-developing live, digital and sport business to its world-class TV production,” Turnton said in a statement. “We produce many of America’s biggest entertainment brands and I am looking forward to working with him and the team as we grow the slate and continue to broaden out the business. Banijay America is an incredible platform for talent and IP and the merger of the two businesses is an exciting time for us to invest for growth.”
Added Samek: “Both businesses were built on the same principle, to back exceptional producers and bold ideas. Bringing them together gives us greater scale and expanded capabilities in the U.S. market. Our goal is clear: to build enduring franchises that can travel the world and connect with audiences across platforms and experiences. We will remain entrepreneurial and disciplined, investing with clear intent and backing the storytellers and ideas that can create lasting value for the business. I look forward to pursuing that ambition alongside Jane and our colleagues at Banijay Entertainment.”
As part of the news announced on Monday, Banijay America said it would now also house the centralized production services business Turnkey Studio Services. Justin Medeiros and Jacob Cohen-Holmes, who led a similar business inside All3Media America, will run the new operation — Medeiros as exec VP of production and Cohen-Holmes as head of current programming.
Turnkey Studio Services will provide production support and studio services for Banijay Entertainment producers around the globe, including Studio Lambert (“The Circle,” “Undercover Boss,” “The Mob”).
Samek has served as CEO of Banijay Americas since February 2023; before that, he had been president and chief operating officer of Banijay Americas since 2018. Banijay Americas’ many production labels include top unscripted producers such as Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds, Authentic Entertainment, Endemol Shine Boomdog and Banijay Mexico.
Among Samek’s recent accomplishments, he spearheaded the expansion of “Somebody Feed Phil” from Netflix into a broader deal at YouTube. He’s also spearheaded an expansion in immersive experiences, taking IP into another realm.
Major Banijay Americas franchises under Samek’s domain include “Big Brother,” “MasterChef,” “MasterChef Junior,” “Below Deck,” “Summer House,” “The Challenge,” “Deal or No Deal Island,” “Fear Factor: House of Fear” and “Lego Masters.” With the All3Media addition, that now also includes franchises such as Studio Lambert’s “The Traitors.”
Upcoming are “Simon Says,” “Predator vs. Prey with Alan Ritchson” and “Arizona Hot” for Netflix, as well as the new season of “Somebody Feed Phil” for YouTube.
RedBird IMI and Banijay Group partnered to merge Banijay Entertainment with All3Media earlier this year. RedBird IMI CEO Jeff Zucker is chairman of the board and Marco Bassetti is CEO, along with Turton.
