Creating Events Teamworx Celebrates Its 10Th Anniversary

23 October 2008

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Creating Events Teamworx celebrates its 10th anniversary

United Kingdom Belgium Tony Cohen about Mint leaves the airwaves FremantleMedia’s future Germany Spain RTL Interactive integrates Antena 3 launches subsidiaries video-on-demand service COVER: Montage with screenshots from Teamworx’s most popular programmes

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A new definition of event television After ten years, Teamworx has more than 140 productions, is the European market leader in event productions, has amassed numerous successes at award presentations and international film festivals, and achieved remarkable international distribution rates. In a word, it is one of the leading producers in German television. Nico Hofmann Germany - 23 October 2008

The successful company was founded on 21 One of the biggest successes in the fledgling October 1998 by Nico Hofmann, Ariane company’s history is the anti-war drama Krampe, and Wolf Bauer. “Teamworx was born Dresden, which won a German TV Award in after a long conversation with Wolf Bauer,” 2006 for “Best TV Movie.” The two-part movie recalls Teamworx CEO Nico Hofmann. “We drew 12.68 million viewers, a new record for developed the concept of bringing young, crea- fictional TV productions, and thus became the tive talent together to make high-quality televi- most-watched TV movie on German television sion.” Since its founding, Teamworx has conti- since 1992. The historical two-part miniseries nually expanded its product portfolio, which Die Flucht starring Maria Furtwängler was also today includes ‘event’ TV movies and fictional enormously successful with television audien- programming as well as series and miniseries. ces and critics alike. Over 12.5 viewers wat- “We wanted to set up a young company in the ched the film when it aired in 2007, and it recei- truest sense of the word, and give a lot of talen- ved a number of prizes, including the German ted people the opportunity of expressing their TV Award, the Audience Bambi 2007, the Diva cinematic ideas,” explains Hofmann. “Bernd Award as “TV Movie of the Year” and “Best TV Eichinger, for whom I was working at the time, Movie” at the Shanghai Television Festival had taken a similar approach for the big screen 2007. and has very successfully produced films with Sönke Wortmann and others.” Teamworx not only produces outstanding fictional programming, but has also made a name Teamworx has shaped important trends with its for itself in high-end image films. Bertelsmann, sophisticated event productions, and has had a for instance, commissioned Teamworx to pro- formative influence on the German TV landsca- duce The Spirit about the Bertelsmann pe. Not only were many of the productions Essentials and the image films Catching the huge audience favorites, they have also won Stars – which was watched by over two million prestigious German and international TV and people at the Hannover Expo in 2000 – and film awards – some of them repeatedly, like Der World of Passion. Teamworx also produced Tunnel, Der Tanz mit dem Teufel – Die The Journey for RTL Group and the image film Entführung des Richard Oetker, Die Sturmflut, Just in Time for Deutsche Post AG, which took Die Luftbrücke – Nur der Himmel war frei, first prize for up-and-coming talent at the Stauffenberg, Toter Mann, Familienkreise, Die Business Film Awards in 2006. In January Flucht and Die Mauer – Berlin ‘61. “One 2008, Teamworx further strengthened its image mile–stone was Der Tunnel, which helped us to and commercial film operations by setting up establish large-scale event movies for televi- the new division Teamworx Commercial. sion,” says Hofmann. “Familienkreise by Stefan Apart from developing and producing its own Krohmer also opened up an entirely new genre materials and formats, Teamworx is committed in television plays.” to next-generation talent in the arts and spon- sors up-and-coming film- and TV makers. Nico 3 week 43 the RTL Group intranet

Hofmann has lectured at the Baden- film Willkommen zuhause and our planned film Württemberg Academy of Film since 1995 as a about Scientology dropouts,” says Hofmann. “I professor in the “Scenic Film” department, and want to really get into the family structure even in 2000 jointly called into being the First Steps more than before and find a personalised nar- award for young filmmakers with Bernd rative perspective. And with projects like Die Eichinger. The prize aims to help young direc- Grenze and Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter, we tors get started in their career and gave talen- take a closer look at German history from an ted filmmakers like Stefan Krohmer (Grimme entirely new perspective.” Awards in gold, 2002 and 2004), Sven Taddicken (nominated for the Students Oscar Projects currently in the preparation and pro- 2000), Christoph Stark and Sven Bohse an duction process include Der Vulkan, Helmut opportunity to get their ideas on the screen. Kohl – Der Film, Unser Mütter, Unsere Väter, Grzimek, Rommel, Die Grenze, Hindenburg and “One challenge for the next few years will be to many more. find a new definition of event television. We must find more unpredictable and relevant material, the kind picked up on by Das Millionenspiel by Tom Toelle and Smog by Wolfgang Menge have taken on,” says Hofmann, looking to the future. “We have already set out down this path with our Afghanistan

Coming up on TV:

Die Patin – The Godmother Broadcast 14 December 2008, RTL Television, 20:15 15 December 2008, RTL Television, 20:15 17 December 2008, RTL Television, 20:15

Willkommen zuhause – Welcome Home Broadcast 21 January 2009, ARD, 20:15

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Successful Teamworx productions (a selection):

Das Wunder von Berlin (ZDF – 2008) – The Miracle of Berlin Ratings 8.01 million viewers, 21.5 per cent total audience share Awards & Festivals Nominated for German TV Award 2008 – Best Film; Montreal World Film Festival 2008; German-Ukrainian Film Week 2008

Die Flucht (ARD – 2007) – The Escape Ratings Part 1: 13.55 million viewers, 29.5 per cent total audience share Part 2: 12.16 million viewers, 20.7 per cent total audience share International distribution 41 countries Awards & Festivals Diva 2008 – Best TV-Movie; Bavarian TV Award 2007 Camera – Holly Fink; German TV Award 2007 Supporting Role – Gabriela M. Schmeide, Music – Enjott Schneider, Production Design – Knut Loewe, Wiebke Kratz; Jupiter 2008; Audience Bambi 2007; Shanghai Television Festival 2007 – Best TV-Film

Dresden (ZDF – 2006) Ratings Part 1: 12.68 million viewers, 32.6 per cent total audience share Part 2: 11.25 million viewers, 31.2 per cent total audience share International distribution 95 countries Awards & Festivals German TV Award 2006 Best TV Film Diva 2007 – Best TV-Movie; Jupiter 2007 – Best TV-Film; Bavarian TV Award 2006 Young Talent Award

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Die Sturmflut (RTL Television – 2006) – The Storm Tide Ratings Part 1: 11.59 million viewers, 38.9 per cent audience share in the 14 to 49 age group Part 2: 11.20 million viewers, 39.2 per cent audience share in the 14 to 49 age group International distribution 59 countries Awards & Festivals DVD Champion 2006

Der Tunnel (Sat1 – 2001) – The Tunnel Ratings Part 1: 7.31 million viewers, 19.8 per cent total audience share Part 2: 6.76 million viewers, 19.6 per cent total audience share International distribution 71 countries Awards & Festivals German TV Award 2001 Best Film Golden Camera 2002 Lead – Heino Ferch; German Camera Award 2001; Editing/Scenic Peter R. Adam Bavarian TV Award 2001 Best Director – Roland Suso Richter, Best Lead Actor – Heino Ferch; Jupiter 2001 – Best Film; Cologne Conference – Producer’s Prize

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Focus on the future Last week, Tony Cohen, CEO of FremantleMedia, spoke at Mipcom about FremantleMedia’s future. United Kingdom - 21 October 2008

by continuing to create grade ‘A’ programmes that broadcasters want,” Tony Cohen said.

2. Investment: FremantleMedia will increase investment in its distribution, licensing and merchandising company FremantleMedia Enterprises, as well as its Talent Fund partner- ships in acquisitions and in new ventures like FremantleMedia Gaming.

3. Network: The company will continue to build a unique, creative and commercial global network, which is a combination of production and Tony Cohen enterprise companies around the world. “In the last few weeks every new day has brought a new financial headline. We are not 4. Execution: “We will continue to be obsessi- insulated from the recent economic turbulence ve about the quality of our productions in both and it’s clear that things are going to be tough drama and entertainment,” Cohen explains. in the future. But, we need to plan now on making sure we can continue to grow the com- Tony Cohen concluded by pointing out that pany,” Tony Cohen said. He continued explai- 2008 has been an outstanding year so far both ning the company’s strategy for the future creatively and commercially. He said: which contains four main elements: “FremantleMedia continues to produce the highest rated shows in the world. We have 1. Development: FremantleMedia will increase number one shows in every major market, whe- its investment in development. “This year’s ther it is the USA, UK, Germany, France, The slate is our best ever and we will build on that Netherlands, Italy, Australia or elsewhere.”

Breaking new ground The finale of Latin American Idol aired live to all 24 countries in Latin America on 9 October, making it the only show in Spanish television history ever to air simultaneously to all territories. Latin America - 20 October 2008

FremantleMedia Latin America has thus wrap- The finale also included exclusive special ped up another season of the continent’s first appearances, live via satellite, by the presi- and only multi-territory Pan-Latin production. dents of the two finalists’ home countries, The finale of Latin American Idol finale also set Panama (Martin Torrijos) and Costa Rica a new record in the TV industry by becoming (Oscar Arias). the show with the most votes for any programme, scoring 3.6 million votes in a single night, during which Margarita Henriquez from Panama emerged as the winner of the 2008 season. 7 week 43 the RTL Group intranet

New video on-demand service Antena 3 presents its new video portal antena3videos.com. The site not only features the broadcaster’s programmes and series, but also gives users the option of interac- ting via various social networks, including Facebook. Spain - 21 October 2008

The new website is designed as an ‘on- hombres, Lex and El demand’ service and will celebrate its launch Internado, as well as by premiering the fourth season of the popular highlights from the series El Internado. Antena 3 thus combines its news and magazine audiovisual online content on a single platform. shows. Thanks to its visit Users can now see all Antena 3 content at a use of the Flash video antena3videos.com glance. In addition, they can share their format, the portal may thoughts about the content using social net- be viewed on all the works such as Facebook. A simple tool even major systems. makes it possible to send friends not the whole clip, but just a small excerpt. Even though The launch of the users don’t need to register for the new portal, antena3videos.com site is part of the they can set up their own personal TV channel broadcaster’s strategy of making content avai- by compiling their own list of favourites. lable not just on television, but on all available Antena 3 plans to add more features in the channels (analogue TV, digital TV, mobile TV months ahead. and internet). This not only gives the broadcaster a broader base, but also puts it in a better The portal will gradually be filled with content, position for marketing airtime. Thus, the new but already offers episodes of the Spanish portal represents progress for users and adver- series Física o Química, Lalola, Cozadores de tisers alike.

antena3videos.com

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Mint leaves the airwaves RTL Belgium’s pop rock radio station stopped broadcasting last Friday at 20:00. Philippe Delusinne, Managing Director of TVI SA Belgium - 22 October 2008

In spite of the unfortunate decision, which was During the second call for tender for the made for reasons totally beyond its control, second urban network launched by the French Mint celebrated its last hours with dignity. community government, the CSA decided not On 17 October, it offered listeners a special to assign a frequency to Mint. programme, in the spirit that had made it “the best-tasting radio” on the air. Even so, Mint fought like a lion, and it must be said that the station was well armed. On its side Mint’s listeners were stunned by the news, to were the recording artists and listeners, who say the least. They still haven’t got over the fact were unanimous in their praise of Mint’s pro- that their favourite radio station has simply gramming and style, which are unique to its disappeared from the FM band. Some thought genre. More than 70,000 people signed a peti- it was just a bad joke, but it’s the sad truth. The tion for Mint to continue to be part of Belgium’s radio station’s web site was flooded with com- radio landscape, which demonstrates the vis- ments. ceral attachment Belgians had for the station.

The decision to pull Mint off the FM airwaves Listeners have strongly condemned the CSA’s was made by Belgium’s audiovisual authorities. decision, and this sense of injustice is equally

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shared by Mint’s team. For managing director tional one, which gave a boost to Mint’s team Eric Adelbrecht, in an exclusive interview with and raised morale among the troops. For Eric Backstage, “It’s a huge disappointment for the Adelbrecht, the important thing was to “hold team and for RTL Belgium. It’s a purely political one’s head high.” “We’re obliged to turn the decision that did not take into account the rele- page, with much regret, but we are keeping a vance of what we were doing, nor our frustra- closely-knit team.” tion. The overall sentiment is: ‘What a waste!’ Indeed, the listeners’ spontaneous reactions Mint will remain on the Internet, in an “ultra- are unanimous, they miss us and are strongly light” version, offering a pop-rock blend. The against our demise. That all of them are calling economic models of FM and the web are, of it an injustice surely demonstrates that the course different. Eric Adelbrecht, “We won’t be CSA’s decision raises a problem… But in spite able to continue to produce shows.” On the of all this, we have to get back on our feet.” other hand, Mint has a real identity, and is a powerful value-added brand. Eric Adelbrecht For its last programme, Mint wanted to avoid still wants to continue to exploit it and is alrea- falling into pathos. It aired a truly great pro- dy thinking of how to integrate it in other radio gramme that brought in many presenters, stations in the group, like Radio Contact, by columnists, journalists and recording artists offering a new, innovative and powerful kind of who all gave a tip of the hat to the station. It radio. It’s a lesson about courage, taught by was a beautiful moment in radio, and an emo- Mint’s management and crew, on how to turn

The final moments of Mint

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Integrating subsidiaries RTL Enterprises and RTL Games will be incorporated into RTL Interactive with effect from 1 January 2009. Germany - 16 October 2008

The Cologne-based Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland subsidiary, RTL Interactive, will incorporate the licensing and merchandising business and the console and PC games acti- vities with effect from 1 January 2009. RTL Enterprises and RTL Games with all their employees will be completely integrated in their parent company, RTL Interactive. Birgit Hönsch, Managing Director of the two subsidiaries, has been appointed the new Head of Licensing and Games and will sit on the management board of RTL Interactive, along with department head Matthias Büchs (Online/Mobile/Teletext), Matthias Lindenberger (Chief Financial Officer) and Martin Sacht (Media Services), who have sat on the board since last year. Marcus Dimpfel, Head of Business Development, completes the management team.

Marc Schröder, Managing Director of RTL Interactive, comments: “I look forward to wel- coming the complete teams of the two companies headed by Birgit Hönsch to RTL Interactive in January. This clear structure allows us to better leverage and use our media group’s compe- tencies and expertise, and cooperate more closely with the different departments.” Last year, the subsidiaries RTL Media Services and RTL Marc Schröder, Managing Director of RTL Interactive Mobile had already been combined under the RTL Interactive roof. “Our experiences with integrating the subsidiaries have been excellent, and we have achieved positive effects as both departments continued to grow. I am positive that the integration will help us to continue on the growth path we have set out on,” says Marc Schröder.

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L’Expédition RTL sets off for the Arctic On Tuesday 14 October, at a press conference held for the launch of its new social awareness show, RTL Radio France revealed the first destination of special correspondent Myriam Alma. France - 17 October 2008

Over the last 30 years in Alaska, as in every Jean-Louis Etienne was the first man to travel other Arctic region, temperatures have risen alone to the North Pole. In the spring of 2002 two to three times faster than on the rest of the he set off on Mission Banquise, a three-month planet. The summer ice pack has lost 30 per tour of the polar ice cap aboard the Polar cent of its surface area and may disappear Observer, to conduct a research and informa- completely in the next 10 tion programme on global to 15 years. warming.

For its first investigative For Axel Duroux, report, L’Expédition RTL Chairman of the Board of heads north of the Arctic Directors of RTL Radio Circle, to areas that have France, “ (…) it is not ine- been greatly affected, to vitable, and if man is observe the melting of the capable of being his worst ice cap, rising water levels enemy, he is also capable and population move- of finding the path of pro- ment. Myriam Alma will gress and adaptability. notably go to Barrow, the L’Expédition RTL’s mis- northernmost town on the sion is to raise conscious- American continent, and a ness and put forward place that also finds itself solutions and initiatives. at the centre of the “new Myriam Alma (…) With exclusive eyewit- Arctic war.” As the ice melts, ness accounts and reports, new shipping lanes are being opened to mariti- L’Expédition RTL will be there to explain how it me transport companies as well as to oil com- is still not too late to learn how to live together.” panies eyeing the enormous potential of reser- ves located under the Arctic Ocean. For more information about this programme or to follow the special correspondent’s day-by- Jean-Louis Etienne, who recently launched a day reports, please check the events file on petition to save the Arctic, has agreed to be rtl.fr or the weekly editorial newsletter devoted RTL Radio’s first renowned guest. On 20 to L’Expédition RTL. October at 8:35, he opened the debate on global warming. In 1986, doctor and explorer

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Renewed splendour The daily series Gute Zeiten – Schlechte Zeiten has take place against the backdrop of a new, two-storey production set since 20 October. The show’s homepage is also being revised. The new set Germany - 22 October 2008

In a matter of three months, Production Studio 1 on the Potsdam-Babelsberg grounds was renovated and transformed into a two-storey double set. A 75-ton platform was integrated, enabling the creation of 22 sets in all. The 360- degree usability of this innovative studio construction concept opens up entirely new staging options: a large part of the studios can now be used across two levels – a completely unique feature in Germany. In addition, the Grundy UFA production team will be working with a new camera system and an innovative lighting concept from now on.

From 10 November, Gute Zeiten – schlechte Zeiten viewers will be treated to some online changes as well, when one of Germany’s most popular young-adult websites in Germany, www.gzsz.de, relaunches in a new design, with new content and applications. In addition to the latest news on the show and the Gute Zeiten – Schlechte Zeiten cast, fans of the series can look forward to a new community where each user can set up their own page and personali- se it with an avatar and other features. Community members can comment on the show, share their experiences and become friends with other fans. The special feature is that RTL Online’s editors are also part of the community, with specially labelled avatars. This allows fans of the series to directly contact the website’s editors. An office set in the new production studio

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RTL Spendenmarathon: Madeleine of Sweden The 13th RTL Spendenmarathon begins on 20 November on RTL Television. This year, it focuses on children’s relief projects in Africa and the struggle against child poverty in Germany. Princess Madeleine of Sweden is the mentor of a project in South Africa. Princess Madeleine of Sweden Germany - 23 October 2008

Every 26 seconds, a woman is raped in South dence of child abuse and neglect as well as Africa. The victims are between four months provide pre- and postnatal psychological and and 87 years old. Many boys and girls grow up physical support for expectant mothers. never knowing the support and security of a Princess Madeleine of Sweden is pushing to family. Violence, alcohol and unemployment expand this centre so that it can offer effective dominate the everyday routine of innumerable long-term help to more children. The RTL families. Many children run away from home Spendenmarathon wishes to support this pro- and end up on the streets, where they are ject. considered easy prey are beaten and abused. Unwanted pregnancies are commonplace among girls, many of whom are still children. Abortions under life-threatening conditions and rampant HIV infec- tion are among the terrible results.

The World Childhood Foundation has operated a drop-in centre since 1983 that attempts to lower the inci-

Princess Madeleine of Sweden and RTL Charity Director Wolfram Kons survey the situation of young mothers and their babies in a Cape Town township

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Heading toward the US Presidential Election RTL Radio France will provide comprehensive programming to help its listeners be a part of this decisive moment in international news. Barack Obama and John McCain France - 23 October 2008

The high point will be the programme RTL, La From 5:00 to 7:00, RTL Petit Matin goes Nuit Américaine, airing 5 November from mid- American. Denis Girolami will broadcast live night to 9:30 and featuring many notable from rue Bayard in Paris and host many invited guests. guests. A special edition of RTL Matin, from 7:00 to 9:30, will air live from the Grand Hôtel Before the election, RTL will feature special Intercontinental on rue Scribe in Paris, in part- programming, with five correspondents on nership with the International Herald Tribune. location and three programmes on the air: RTL For two and a half hours, Vincent Parizot and au cœur de l’Amérique (in-depth reports to bet- the entire editorial team will enrich the airwaves ter understand the subjects that may tip the with reports and comments. Many invited scales in the favour of one camp or another), guests will be on hand to comment on the L’Autre Amérique (reports that challenge pre- results, including political personalities, philo- conceived notions about the US) and Mon sophers and literary figures such as Rama Amérique à moi (a celebrity or an anonymous Yade, Bernard Henri-Levy, Douglas Kennedy individual describes his or her ideal America). and Philippe Labro. Editorial specialists Alain Duhamel, Jean-Michel Aphatie and consultant On election night, from midnight to 5:00, the Dominique Moïsi will sit at the table and offer station’s special correspondents Philippe up their analyses and comments as well as help Antoine, Isabelle Dath, Myriam Alma, Rémi explain various references. Sulmont and David Glaser will join Georges Lang to bring listeners the election results live from New York. In between reports and analyses, listeners will be able to hear the initial reactions of the main players in the election.

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Best new radio campaign of the year announced On Thursday 16 October, the 4th Amboss prize for creative radio campaigns was presented in Düsseldorf. Germany - 21 October 2008

The 2008 Amboss goes to ‘Immonet-Nachrichten’ (‘Immonet News’), a radio campaign by Grabarz & Partner. The large Internet property sales portal Immonet has the claim “Immonet.de. Schneller besser wohnen” (Immonet.de – The faster way to a better home.)

In all, five teams and their newly developed campaigns made the finals of the 2008 Amboss, including campaigns for Edeka, Jet Tankstellen, Immonet, McDonald’s and Gruner + Jahr. The five finalist teams had been given a production budget of EUR 10,000 each to turn their written concept into impressive radio commercials. The five campaigns all take different The winners of the Amboss 2008 approaches, but have one thing in The Amboss prize for creativity in radio has common: they show that radio advertising been presented annually since 2005. It is orga- offers a wide range of creative approaches that nised by the owners of Amboss turn commercial breaks into an effective ele- Veranstaltungs-GmbH – RTL Radio ment in the programming that is well worth lis- Deutschland, Radio NRW and Radio Kombi tening to. Bayern – to promote creativity in radio advertising and to make radio even more of a focus in “It was an excellent event with good modera- the efforts of creative professionals, advertisers tors, entertaining performers and, above all, and media planners. The Amboss is sponsored great campaigns. The creative approach of the by twelve radio partners from all over Germany: finalists showed that radio commercials can be 89.0 RTL, 104.6 RTL, 105'5 Spreeradio, real ‘ear-catchers’. People don’t mind staying Antenne Bayern, Big FM The new Beat, Big FM tuned in and remember some of the content as Hot Music Radio, BLW Bayerische Lokalradio- well. We hope that the Amboss will continue to Werbung, Hit-Radio Antenne, Radio Brocken, inspire companies and agencies to rely even Radio Hamburg, Radio NRW and Radio more on original spots and campaigns,” com- Regenbogen. ments Gert Zimmer, CEO RTL Radio Deutschland.

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Sharing 20 years of expertise Questions Pour Un Champion is one of France’s leading game shows. Now it will hit North America – being produced with the help of French expertise. North America - 17 October 2008

500 episodes of help for animals Menschen, Tiere & Doktoren is one of Vox’s most popular in-house formats. The channel presented the 500th episode on Monday 20 October. Germany - 20 October 2008

A new judge on the German Idol panel Volker Neumüller, a music executive and label boss, will replace actor/musician Max von Thun on the panel of judges for Deutschland sucht den Superstar, alongside MTV modera- tor Nina Eichinger and Dieter Bohlen. Germany - 21 October 2008

Katharina Wackernagel wins Hessian TV Award Last weekend, Katharina Wackernagel accepted a Hessian TV Award for Best Actress for her role in the Teamworx production Mein Mörder kommt zurück (My Murderer Returns). Germany - 22 October 2008

Mario Barth is the ‘Most Popular Live Act’ The first winner of the 2008 German Comedy Award is in: the Berlin comedian Mario Barth has won ‘Most Popular Live Act’ for the fourth time running. RTL Television will broadcast the awards ceremony on 24 October. Germany - 22 October 2008

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People Changes on GTRS team Luxembourg - 22 October 2008

RTL Group announced changes in the Group The London-based members of GTRS Transactions & Reporting Systems department (employed by RTL Group Systems Ltd.) will to prepare the ground for its future develop- shift their functional reporting lines as follows: ment. Pierre Levine, Bradley Binns and David Bickley will report to Peter Diepstraten, Mark Cowell As a result, Jean-Yves Derore has been appoin- and David Phillips fulfilling AGS missions and ted Vice President of the Applications Global tasks will report to Jean-Yves Derore Support (AGS) and Group Reporting Systems (GRS) teams. In this new role, Jean-Yves will Vincent Pascaud, Senior Vice President of look to further improve the AGS service levels GTRS, said: “The GTRS department has been of the support desk and implement a customer successfully leading large and strategic imple- oriented ‘single point of contact’ for all referen- mentation projects since its creation in 2005 ced finance applications (SAP, Magnitude). In and I am confident that this new structure will addition, Jean-Yves will continue to lead the allow us to deliver a high quality and reactive Group Reporting Systems (GRS) team, in char- support to our growing customer base, while ge of managing and developing all Magnitude keeping flexibility to further drive projects projects. within the group. Bundling the strengths and talents of our internal experts will also position Peter Diepstraten, previously Vice President of us at best for further business opportunities.” Applications Global Support (AGS), has been appointed as Vice President of Financial Jean-Marie Bourhis, Deputy Chief Financial Transactions Systems (FTS). In this new capa- Officer and Executive Vice President Finance of city, Peter will lead his team to monitor all SAP RTL Group, said: “The expansion and changes projects, and to develop second level support on the GTRS department demonstrates RTL towards all SAP customers, and further to Group’s commitment to further develop and roll ensure that internal processes on SAP systems out the financial tools that are key to the moni- meet the increasing compliance requirements. toring of the Group’s financial performance.”

Additional changes are: Jean-Paul Schmit, will “We are in particular happy that the changes integrate in his current role of SAP are promoting internal key persons, who have Administrator and Consultant the FTS team successfully proved their strong commitment and Christoph Moritz, Functional Expert, will to group projects, and whom we trust in to move from the GRS team to the AGS team. achieve the upcoming challenges.”

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People Jürgen Kerbel joins 104.6 RTL Jürgen Kerbel, German comedy star Germany - 22 October 2008

Jürgen Kerbel, one of Germany’s best-known authoring/inventing the Star FM comedy Brief comedy stars, will leave 94.3 RS2 to join an die Mutter, and actually received a 2005 Berlin’s most widely listened-to morning show, German Radio Award for Best Radio Comedy – Arno und die Morgencrew. the pinnacle of his success to date – for the Schnappi cover song. The inventor of the nationwide hit cover song of Schni-Schna-Schnappi, will soon be serving up Kerbel expresses his delight at being part of the gags as Head of Comedy at Berlin’s humorous Arno und die Morgencrew team from now on: morning show. Arno und die Morgencrew is the “I look forward to working for the most interes- home of the original ‘Crazy Phone’ prank calls. ting radio broadcaster in Berlin-Brandenburg, together with an incredibly creative and innova- Jürgen Kerbel, 29, has made a name for himself tive team. My colleagues at 104.6 RTL have a in the German comedy scene with over 2,500 lot of fun with their job, as you can hear for comedies to date, and has won several awards yourself every day on the radio. Hitradio’s qua- for his work. In 2002, he won an FFN Comedy lity is evident not only in its listener numbers – Award for Best Radio Comedy. In 2005, he was it’s also the creative number one in Berlin’s nominated for the German Radio Award for radio landscape,” says Kerbel.

People Changes in Belgium Belgium - 23 October 2008

Frédéric Herbays, currently programme direc- Patrick Perret will become Bel RTL’s new tor at Bel RTL, will assume his new duties as of Programme Director as of 1 January. 1 January 2009 when he joins the television management team as Head of Production. He will be replaced by Patrick Perret who will be Bel RTL’s new Programme Director.

As Head of Production, Frédéric Herbays will be in charge of animation, support services and the supervision of all production crews and as well as in-house programmes produced on the Belgian networks RTL-TVI, Club RTL and Plug RTL. He will report to Head of Television Stéphane Rosenblatt. In addition, Frédéric Herbays will serve, alongside Erwin Lapraille, as Assistant to Television Management. Frédéric Herbays, Head of Production 19 http://backstage.rtlgroup.fr http://backstage.rtlgroup.com http://backstage.rtlgroup.de

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

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