week 14 / 3 April 2014

YOUNG, EDGY AND URBAN Thom Beers on FremantleMedia’s acquisition of US reality TV expert, 495 Productions

Luxembourg United Kingdom Luxembourg Ten years of FMI deal sees Enex signs cooperation generous support Cuckoo fly to agreement with Adria for Télévie Germany News/N1 week 14 / 3 April 2014

YOUNG, EDGY AND URBAN Thom Beers on FremantleMedia’s acquisition of US reality TV expert, 495 Productions

Luxembourg United Kingdom Luxembourg Ten years of FMI deal sees Enex signs cooperation generous support Cuckoo fly to agreement with Adria for Télévie Germany News/N1 Cover Montage with Party Down South show and Thom Beers, CEO of FremantleMedia North America

Publisher RTL Group 45, Bd Pierre Frieden L-1543 Luxembourg

Editor, Design, Production RTL Group Corporate Communications & Marketing

k before y hin ou T p r in t

backstage.rtlgroup.com backstage.rtlgroup.fr backstage.rtlgroup.de QUICK VIEW

Ten years of generous support for Télévie RTL Group p.8–9 The perfect fi t: FremantleMedia acquires 495 Productions FMI deal sees FremantleMedia Cuckoo fl y to p. 4–7 Germany FremantleMedia International p.10

Enex signs cooperation agreement with Adria Big Picture News/N1 p.12 Enex p.11

SHORT NEWS p. 13

PEOPLE

p.14–16 THE “Our programming sense and passion for unscripted are very similar” – Thom Beers, CEO of PERFECT FremantleMedia North America FIT

North America – 3 April 2014 FremantleMedia

SallyAnn Salsano, Founder of 495 Productions: Salsano named the Los Angeles-based company after the major Interstate Highway 495 serving her native Long Island,

4 Only three months in and 2014 already proves a big year for RTL Group’s global production arm. In February, FremantleMedia invested in a multi-channel food vertical with Vice Media, a leader in engaging with the online millennial audience. With the March acquisition of leading US production company 495 Productions – known for catering to the younger, edgier demographic – the content powerhouse continues to expand its reach among Generation Y audiences, while diversifying its already vast content library. Backstage talked to Thom Beers, CEO of FremantleMedia North The pop-culture phenomenon, Jersey Shore followed the lives of America, about how the deal came about, why 495 twentysometing Jersey-ites Productions is the perfect fi t for FremantleMedia and why the US cable market is an attractive growth we got a pilot picked up!’” CEO of FremantleMedia space. North America, Thom Beers never doubted her abilities for a second: “SallyAnn and I go back ten Under the terms of the deal, FremantleMedia has years. I’ve always been a huge fan of her work – acquired a 75 per cent holding in 495 Productions, I mean Jersey Shore was killer! But even before with the opportunity to acquire the remaining that, back when she was at Fox doing shows shareholding in the future. The acquisition adds like Temptation Island, her passion and insight another of the strongest and most prolifi c US for cool, young and edgy programming was production companies into FremantleMedia’s undeniable.” What does he admire most about increasingly diverse group of North American SallyAnn Salsano? “She is the most hands-on holdings, alongside its subsidiary FremantleMedia producer you will ever meet. She is an executive North America and previous acquisition Original by default but a truly amazing programme-maker at Productions. 495 Productions in turn will benefi t heart.” infi nitely from FremantleMedia’s huge content library and extensive global reach. Commenting on the acquisition, Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia, says: “This deal will allow us to expand our share of the valuable US cable market and will complement and diversify our existing portfolio of content and clients. Together, our ambition is to continue to grow 495 Productions in the US and to broaden its global footprint even further through our extensive distribution and production network.”

SallyAnn Salsano, an expert in reality TV production 495 Productions is renowned for its cutting edge The Real is an urban daytime talk show produced by reality programming. Golden child Jersey Shore, Telepictures, for which SallyAnn Salsano is Exective Producer on air from 2009 to 2012, went on to become Commenting on the deal with FremantleMedia, MTV’s highest-rated show in the channel’s history SallyAnn Salsano says: “This is a huge moment and a global hit with multiple spin-offs including for me and the entire team at 495. That said, the and Jwoww, The Show with Vinny and The decision of who to partner with and where to make Project. The Los Angeles-based company, my new home was easy because of my long term created in 2006, boasts very modest beginnings, relationships with both Cécile and Thom. They as company founder SallyAnn Salsano recently know me, they understand how I run my business explained to Variety: “I literally had 7,000 dollars and they appreciate the way I produce my shows. and a printer and a fax machine… I didn’t have I started this company with nothing in 2006 and this investors or partners or anything but my blood, sweat is proof that if you love what you do, work your ass and tears. We went show to show and suddenly it off and want it bad enough, someone will notice and was ‘Oh my God, we got a pilot’ and ‘Oh my God, it will pay off.”

Next >

5 Although Jersey Shore was undoubtedly “IF YOU Harvesting growth potential a big hit for 495 –“I can honestly say it Cable continues to be a growth area was a guilty pleasure,” says Beers – the WANT IT in the US TV market – in particular for company doesn’t rest on its laurels. BAD producers. Beers explains: “there are Party Down South has already proved ENOUGH, amazing opportunities on the US cable itself as CMT’s highest-rated series SOMEONE channels. Let me give you an idea: ever, and daytime syndicated talkshow last year, the cable channels produced The Real, for which SallyAnn Salsano WILL over 10,000 hours of programming. In is the Executive Producer, is another NOTICE” network, it was less than 800. ground-breaking production. The SallyAnn Salsano Original Productions, which is very company specialises in riveting, successful, did 240 programmes last unscripted, character-driven reality series with year. So there is plenty of room for growth – and that colourful personalities at their heart, and has one room is in cable.” of the preeminent US entertainment producers and creators at its helm. “The cool part about 495 Productions is simple, it’s SallyAnn,” says Beers. CAGR 29.4 30.0 10.1%

20.0 20.0

10.0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 US Cable programming expenses (in USD billion) Source: Kagan, October 2013

Commitment to entertainment Party Down South, a coastal South-Carolina incarnation of Jersey Shore Touching on the recent news about The X Factor USA not returning for another season, Thom Beers A deal that “just makes sense” ensures the company’s dedication and commitment Asked why 495 Productions is a good fi t for to continue to develop and produce their fl agship FremantleMedia, Beers explains his own entertainment programmes. The deal with programming background and how similar it is to 495 Productions is a step towards portfolio Salsano’s: “What she does in that young and more diversifi cation and by no means the sign of a new female space is what we do in the male space at direction in production. Toby Gorman, who was Original Productions – it’s almost like a clone. Our appointed in January 2014, will take up his programming sense and passion for unscripted position as Executive Vice President of Alternative content are very similar.” While Beers’ own Original Programming in mid-April. A veteran reality producer Productions delivers high-quality programmes for and two-time Emmy Award nominee, Gorman men, FremantleMedia North America focuses on will continue to drive this line of unscripted great network entertainment programmes – “the entertainment forward. “American Idol and shiny fl oor shows” – as well as great gameshows. Got Talent will absolutely continue to be strong The company’s entrance into the scripted area, FremantleMedia representatives in the US market,” meanwhile, is demonstrated by key development promises Beers, before teasing: “We even have deals with partners including A&E, Spike and FX, some great ideas for new, big shiny fl oor shows…” among others. And recent digital deals with Vice Media and Style Haul illustrate the company’s Summing up his fi rst year as CEO of online growth, particularly in that MCN space. FremantleMedia North America, Beers is optimistic The one thing that was missing was exactly what for what lies ahead: “I feel like we’re just on the edge, 495 Productions is known ready to really take off. It took about a year to build for: programming for “IT WAS THE the team that I really wanted. Now that that team is young, female and urban PERFECT FIT in place, these next six months to a year will be key. cable viewers. “It was the FOR US – IT We’re very excited!” perfect fi t for us – it just JUST MADE made sense,” explains Next > Beers. SENSE” Thom Beers

6 FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO SUCCESS STORY: 495 PRODUCTIONS

SallyAnn Salsano founded 495 Productions out of her home in 2006 The breakthrough was the dating gameshow A Shot at Love with

The show started out in development at VH1 but wound up airing on MTV in 2007 That led to a two-year development pact for 495 at MTV which went on to spawn Jersey Shore

Salsano ranked 17th in The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘Top 25 Reality Players 2014’. Jersey Shore unsurprisingly yielded the hit spin-offs Snooki and Jwoww, The Show with Vinny and More recently, Party Down South has emerged as another 495 reality hit, proving itself as CMT’s highest-rated series ever Although 495 Productions has a long-standing relationship with Viacom, the company has in- creased the diversity of its cable network client range over the last few years – with the likes of Spike TV, TLC, Syfy Other ground-breaking productions in the portfolio include Spike TV’s Tattoo Nightmares, which FremantleMedia already distributes internationally, and Repo Games; MTV’s dating show Friendzone and the daytime syndicated talk show The Real

Strategic priorities ...and how 495 Productions meets these for FremantleMedia... strategic goals

495 Productions is a creative powerhouse with a strong track 1 Maintain the core business record of selling, keeping on air and creating spin-offs of successful shows

495 Productions produces edgy reality shows appealing to young, 2 Diversify the portfolio female viewers

495 Productions, together with Original Productions, will give 3 Maximise the network FremantleMedia enhanced presence on the fast-growing US cable market

Build a scalable digital Due to the audience targeted, FremantleMedia believes there 4 are potential upsides online, leveraging RTL Group and business FremantleMedia

For RTL Group, following the June 2013 acquisition of multi-channel network BroadbandTV, the acquisition further strengthens RTL Group’s position in North America – the biggest and most innovative media market in the world.

7 TEN YEARS OF GENEROUS SUPPORT RTL Group

On March 28, 2014, in the anniversary year of the Télévie Challenge (the large company spinning event organised by RTL Group in support of Télévie), participants raised the record amount of €60,000. Since 2005, €483,353 have been donated to cancer research. Luxembourg – 31 March 2014

Employees in Luxembourg have been dedicating themselves to the Télévie Challenge for ten years: applying their energy to fi ghting cancer and leukaemia, by aiding research.

“This year’s anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’ve made so far,” explains Elmar Heggen, CFO and Head of the Elmar Heggen RTL Group Corporate Centre. “But we shouldn’t sit back, because the statistics speak clearly: Every year, 2,000 adults and children in the Grand Duchy are diagnosed with cancer. I’d like to thank our ABOUT TÉLÉVIE employees today for their untiring effort during the Télévie Challenge and their awesome enthusiasm for this important event over the past Télévie is a charity initiative founded ten years.” in 1989 by RTL-TVI in Belgium, and broadcasted additionally in Elmar Heggen, who would not miss the tenth competition for the Luxembourg by RTL Lëtzebuerg since world, gave the starting signal at exactly twelve o’clock noon. Then 2001. Over €133 million (€133 868 the RTL Group employees and guests hopped on their spinning 776 to be precise) have been raised bikes. They were all striving for the same goal: cover as many as of 20 April 2013 through the kilometres as possible in eight hours in order to raise funds for cancer amazing dedication of the two research. Once again this year, RTL Group donated fi ve euros for RTL Group families of channels. every kilometre to Télévie. At last year’s sponsoring event, participants succeeded in cycling a total of 8,831 kilometres earning €44,155, In Luxembourg, the Télévie donations which were generously rounded up to €55,000 by RTL Group. partly go to the cancer research centre Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer (LBMCC) at the Thirty-four teams signed up with a total of 370 participants, 230 of Hôpital Kirchberg. In 2013, six those employed by RTL Group. Well-known guests enthusiastically research projects were financed cheered participants on from the sides. Among them, many prominent thanks to Télévie. Luxembourgers, such as: the triathlete Dirk Bockel, winner of the last Ironman race in Melbourne and Luxembourg’s 2013 Athlete of the Since 2005, RTL Group has organised Year; the former soccer professional Gordon Braun, member of ASBL its own sporting event for the cause: Télévie; and the swimmer Laurent Carnol, who reached the semi-fi nals the Télévie Challenge. More than of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London with over 200 metres 87,003 kilometres have been breaststroke. Also in loyal attendance from the political scene pedalled since the beginning of were the Luxembourgish parliamentary president, Mars di Bartoloméo the event, raising over €483,353. and the Minister for Sports, Romain Schneider. All proceeds go to the Fonds Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS).

8 The Télévie Challenge lasts from 12:00 until 20:00, during which the relay team members take turns on their assigned team bike. On the occasion of the event’s tenth anniversary, the RTL Group was particularly generous and doubled the sponsoring amount during the tenth round – i.e., between 17:00 and 18:00 – to ten euros per kilometre. Additional sponsoring initiatives were planned to bring the total amount raised even higher: advertising gifts from RTL Group and special event merchandising items for the Télévie Challenge were sold.

Group picture – All together for Télévie! When the pedalling stopped at 20:00, Monica Semedo, journalist and host at RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg, brought the event to a close. In closing, Elmar Heggen, in the presence of Carol Bragança-Kayser, Télévie Coordinator in Luxembourg, and Dr. Marc Diederich, from the cancer research centre at the Hôpital Luxembourg-Kirchberg, revealed the donation amount for the day. Thanks to their commitment, the participants raised €48,965 (8,621 kilometres). Adding to this sum, the proceeds from the sale of RTL Group and Télévie merchandise, amounting to €4,300. This brought the total up to €53,265 which RTL Group generously rounded up to €60,000. It is worth noting the contributions amounting to €1,345 and €1,200 respectively (fi ve euros Tenth anniversary of Télévie Challenge per kilometre) by sponsors Elco and Sales-Lentz.

“The funds raised by the Télévie Challenge contributed signifi cantly to the development of the research laboratory at Kirchberg Hospital,” TÉLÉVIE CHALLENGE ON TOUR: said Dr. Diederich. “In 10 years, the Télévie Challenge has helped ROUTE ON THE STREETS OF fund research projects that grant a better understanding of leukemia, LUXEMBOURG colon cancer or breast cancer. Additionally, a clinical phase studied the mechanisms of an innovative molecule. A big thank you, from the RTL Group is celebrating the tenth Luxembourg researchers to all the Télévie athletes, who have made anniversary of the Télévie Challenge with this possible in the past decade.” a special event: the Télévie Challenge on Tour. On 26 April 2014, the day of the grand Télévie finale, participants will be Additional donations raised by citizens all across Luxembourg who invited to ride on their bikes to various wanted to show their support will be added to the proceeds for the sponsoring centres in Luxembourg. For Télévie Challenge. The donation cheque will be handed over at every kilometre completed, RTL Group will a big fi nal ceremony on Saturday 26 April, broadcasted live on donate one euro to Télévie. RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg.

For more information, TelevieChallenge.RTLGroup.com

€60,000 raised for Télévie – Dr. Marc Diederich, Carol Bragança-Kayser, Elmar Heggen and Romain Mannelli (left to right)

9 FMI DEAL SEES CUCKOO FLY TO GERMANY FremantleMedia International

FremantleMedia International (FMI) and the German public broadcaster ARD have completed a groundbreaking distribution deal for the fi rst two series of the hit Roughcut TV-produced comedy, Cuckoo. United Kingdom – 1 April 2014

ABOUT CUCKOO

Produced by Roughcut TV for BBC3, the first series of Cuckoo pits Hollywood stalwart Andy Samberg against British comedy giant Greg Davies. Ken Ken (Greg Davies) and Lorna Thompson’s (Helen Baxendale) daughter Rachel (Tamla Kari) has returned from her gap year with a new husband, Cuckoo – a self-appointed spiritual ninja and every The fi rst season of Cuckoo aired on BBC3 parent’s worst nightmare. Ken and Lorna have no choice but to welcome him into their family home. The deal marks the fi rst time in more than a decade that an acquired series has made it into ARD’s access prime-time schedule, The first series of the critically which before now has entirely focused on local productions. ARD acclaimed Cuckoo was the biggest is looking to premiere the series this autumn (2014). comedy launch in the UK’s BBC3’s history and was also nominated for two Maximilian Bolenius, Vice President Sales & Distribution, British Comedy Awards. German-speaking Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, FremantleMedia International, says: “For a broadcaster of ARD’s calibre to make Cuckoo one of their very few foreign acquisitions in a long time speaks volumes for the universal appeal of this stand-out series. Unlike many other new comedies from recent years, Cuckoo INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION truly attracts viewers across all generations. The addition of Hollywood A-lister Taylor Lautner for series two only enhances the series’ global The latest sale for Cuckoo follows potential.” on from a deal completed with HBO Central Europe that sees the series go Cuckoo is executive produced by Ash Atalla (The IT Crowd, to 16 territories within the region. The Offi ce and Trollied), with whom FremantleMedia International recently prolonged their partnership. Series two is set to premiere on The sitcom can now be seen in over 70 the UK’s BBC3. territories worldwide including Australia (Foxtel), New Zealand (BBC), Russia (Amedia and 2x2) and Africa (MTV).

10 ENEX SIGNS COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH ADRIA NEWS/N1 Enex

Under a new partnership agreement signed between the international news provider Enex and Adria News, owner of N1 – the fi rst 24-hour news network for the Adria region – N1 will share content and resources with the 41 other broadcast partners belonging to Enex worldwide. Luxembourg – 2 April 2014

N1, which will start broadcasting via cable and satellite in May this year, becomes Enex’s special affi liate in the region, giving it access to the video, live transmission and production facilities of the Enex network across the globe. Enex in turn gains access to N1’s video content, produced for an audience of over 15 million people across Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia. N1 will operate through three major news N1 – the fi rst 24-hour news network production centres in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Zagreb with smaller for the Adria region “news hubs” located in various cities across the region.

“Enex membership is an important milestone in launching N1 and we look forward to being part of this unique international network” ABOUT ADRIA NEWS/ N1 comments N1 Network News Director Brent Sadler. Ralf Manthey, CEO of Adria News, comments: “It is particularly pleasing to have two Adria News has its headquarters in Luxembourg-based companies in the TV broadcasting fi eld working Luxembourg and operates its TV together, joined through their European and global perspective. This programmes under a Luxembourgish will also reinforce Luxembourg’s position as a European media hub.” license. The main financial investor behind Adria News, the owner of the N1 venture, is Henning Tewes, Enex Managing Director, says “We are delighted to United Group, the leading pay-TV platform in welcome N1 to the Enex club. Our colleagues are undertaking a unique South East Europe, which includes Telemach venture, combining the broader perspective of the Adria region with Slovenia and Telemach BiH, the largest cable operators in Slovenia and Bosnia and the local news hubs in individual countries. Together with our existing Herzegovina, SBB, the largest cable operator partner in Croatia, RTL Hrvatska, this will strengthen our in Serbia, and Total TV, the largest satellite newsgathering operation in the region. The positive momentum in in platform in the SEE region. our partnership agreements testifi es to the value Enex brings to its partner channels across the globe.”

11 A century of radio listening On 28 March 2014, we celebrated the centenary of the fi rst European radio broadcast, which took place in Brussels from the Palais royal de Laeken. To mark the anniversary, the Belgian radio stations have joined forces to organise the exhibition: ‘Vu à la radio’ (‘As seen on radio’). The RTL radio family in Belgium, as well as RTL Group have contributed to this initiative, which will be hosted untill 27 April 2014 at ‘Tour and Taxis’ in Brussels. SHORT NEWS 1/1

The German TV market in March 2014 Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s channels (RTL, Vox, N-TV, RTL Nitro, Super RTL, RTL II) achieved a combined market share of 29.8 percent among viewers aged 14 to 59 in March, ranking 3.2 percentage points ahead of the Pro Sieben Sat.1 channels (26.6 percent). Germany – 2 April 2014

RTL Interactive to pull out of Werkenntwen RTL Interactive After prolonged traffi c declines, it is no longer possible to successfully operate the social network long-term. Germany – 31 March 2014

More programmes on Videoland Unlimited RTL nederland

Parts of children formats from RTL Telekids are now available on RTL Nederland’s all-you-can-watch service Videoland Unlimited. In the coming weeks and months, the offer will be extended to include all of the channel’s programmes. The Netherlands – 31 March 2014

Matchweek on RTL RTL nederland

RTL Lëtzebuerg has secured the rights to two additional Champions League matches. On 1 and 2 April 2014, from 20:30 the League matches will be broadcast on 2ten RTL HD and www.rtl.lu. Luxembourg – 31 March 2014

13 PEOPLE HANNAH WYATT Boundless United Kingdom – 27 March 2013

FremantleMedia UK’s Boundless label announced the appointment of Hannah Wyatt to the role of Creative Director, Boundless.

Hannah Wyatt is currently Director of Programmes at Mentorn Media. In her new role at Boundless, she will report directly to Patrick Holland, Managing Director.

Patrick Holland comments: “I am absolutely delighted that Hannah will be joining Boundless as Creative Director. She is a hugely respected, highly creative leader who Hannah Wyatt will be central to the growth of the label over the coming years.”

Sara Geater, CEO, FremantleMedia UK, adds: “Boundless is now two years old, and has, under Patrick’s leadership, developed a terrifi c roster of programmes. I’m delighted Hannah is the new Creative Director. She brings a huge breadth of experience to the role and will play a pivotal role in allowing us to grow the label.”

Hannah Wyatt: “It’s hard to leave a job you enjoy but it’s a fantastic opportunity to join Patrick and the team at Boundless and I’m really excited. They have a great track record in delivering quality, entertaining and popular factual programmes and I’m looking forward to helping grow the company in new and exciting directions.”

While at Mentorn Media, Hannah has been responsible for originating and overseeing programmes including: The Fried Chicken Shop, Up All Night: Minicabs and Katie: The Science of Seeing Again for Channel 4, and Hotel of Mum and Dad and Underage and Pregnant for BBC Three.

Prior to Mentorn, Hannah was with BBC Vision, executive producing the fi rst series of Junior Doctors; Your Life in Their Hands. She has worked for a number of independent TV companies including Prospect Pictures, Twofour and Endemol on programmes including: No 57 The History of a House, Great Estates and Pet Rescue.

14 PEOPLE FMI EXPANDS EMERGING MARKET OPERATIONS FremantleMedia International Dubai – 31 March 2014

FremantleMedia International (FMI) signals its commitment to the emerging markets of the Middle East, Africa and South Eastern Europe by expanding the responsibilities of its Dubai offi ce.

FMI’s Dubai premises are to become a distribution hub for the region, selling tape and formats as well as driving FremantleMedia’s ancillary and sponsorship activity. As a result of the region’s signifi cant growth to date, FMI has promoted Anahita Kheder to Senior Vice President, Middle East, Africa and South Eastern Europe and appointed Emre Mumcuoglu Vice President, Distribution.

Reporting into Kheder, Mumcuoglu will relocate from Istanbul to Dubai with immediate effect. The creation of the new distribution hub will enable FMI to increase business in these competitive markets with a vibrant local presence.

Jamie Lynn, Executive Vice President, Head of Distribution, EMEA says: “By expanding our Dubai

Anahita Kheder operation to handle the key emerging markets of the Middle East, Turkey and Africa we’ve got a real opportunity to build on the signifi cant successes we’ve had to date and to exploit opportunities with emerging players to cement our position as market leader in the region. In Anahita and Emre we have two hugely impressive executives whose deep local knowledge and wide-ranging experience will help us to drive these opportunities and grow our business further.”

Kheder has over 14 years of experience working in the region and has been with FremantleMedia since 2011, when she joined FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) as VP, Middle East. Prior to joining FME, Kheder, held marketing positions within the music and sport industries before specialising in branded entertainment and entertainment marketing.

Mumcuoglu joins FMI from World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. in Turkey where he was responsible for the vision and strategic direction of the company’s business development in Turkey and Central Asia. Prior to that Mumcuoglu worked at Discovery Networks in Istanbul where he was Head of Affi liate Sales for Turkey, Middle East and Israel.

15 PEOPLE BLOEME KEILSON AND DIANA VOLBEDAS RTL Nederland The Netherlands – 3 April 2014

Starting 1 April 2014, Bloeme Keilson is Head of Entertainment at RTL Nederland’s production branch RTL Productions. She replaces Diana Volbeda.

This new appointment follows Diana Volbeda’s decision to take on a new role at production company IdtV, after two years of service. In fact, Volbeda has been editor-in-chief at the successful programme Wie is de Mol? broadcast on public broadcaster AVRO since 1 March. In her new function, Keilson will report to Diana Pattiselanno, Director of RTL Productions.

Diana Pattiselanno comments on Volbeda’s departure: “In the past two years Diana has played a signifi cant role for the company. Thanks to her knowledge and skills we were able to create our fi rst youth drama series last year. I am very grateful to her for her limitless commitment and wish her a lot of success.”

Bloeme Keilson As for Keilson’s arrival, Pattiselanno had this to say:” I am incredibly happy about Bloeme’s appointment which will strengthen the company. She brings with her loads of experience. As a producer she is multi-faceted and has held leading positions in companies such as Eyeworks and SBS Broadcasting. She is a real business woman. Together with her and the team, I look forward to achieving RTL Productions growing ambitions.”

RTL Productions develops and produces TV and onlne formats commissioned by RTL Nederland channels, RTL 4, RTL 5, RTL 7, RTL 8, RTL Telekids and RTL XL. Successful programmes are Topchef, Wie is de Chef, RTL Woonmagazine, Derek Ogilvie, Tatoo Stories, 112 Noodoproep and youth drama series Het Mysterie Van… RTL Productions is divided into the following departments, Entertainment, Sport, Short Form Lab and Specials.

16 More about Backstage

BACKSTAGE DAILY NEWS FROM ‘AT RTL GROUP, IS AVAILABLE ACROSS THE WE CARE’ IN THREE GROUP – DIRECTLY LANGUAGES IN YOUR INBOX

You can read In addition to the RTL Group is committed Backstage in your weekly newsletter we to effectively combine preferred language – offer to registered users business success with in English, German a daily newsletter socially responsible actions or French. available in three towards local communities languages. and to protect the environment. Visit the Corporate Responsibility news section on Backstage (CR news) and fi nd out how RTL Group aims to improve the societies in which we operate.

backstage.rtlgroup.com backstage.rtlgroup.fr backstage.rtlgroup.de

For more information, don’t hesitate to contact the editorial team: [email protected]