Banijay names new CEO for Nordic subsidiary
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Editor
| 13 August 2020
In the latest of a series of significant corporate moves over the last couple of months, content producer and distributor Banijay has appointed Jacob Houlind as CEO of Banijay Nordic, overseeing all operations across its portfolio of 24 companies across Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark.

Jacob Houlind Banijay 13Aug2020Also in charge of UK and US operations following the recent expansion of Yellow Bird, Houlind has been charged with driving a multi-brand strategy, which promotes creativity, diversity and originality. He will be at the forefront of managing the territory’s investment in creativity and content development. Finding, nurturing and developing talent, he will also attempt to build a home for the creatives across the Nordics. And, together with Banijay and Banijay Rights, the Nordic division will continue to focus on local and innovative IP with global appeal.

In terms of programmes, the divisions have created hits including Survivor, The Island, Fort Boyard, MasterChef, All Against 1, Best Singer, Big Brother, Luxury Trap, Biggest Loser, 71 Degrees North, The Wall, Paradise Hotel, All Together Now, Good Morning and Evening Denmark, Good Morning and Evening Norway, Millennium, The Bridge, Wallander and Netflix’s upcoming Young Wallander, Khalifate, Beck, The Restaurant and Sandham Murders.

Before Banijay, Houlind (pictured) had been group CEO and co-owner of Nordisk Film TV since February 2006, selling the company to Banijay in 2009. He later took up the position of Group CEO of Banijay Nordic, as a result of the merger of former Nordisk Film TV in the Nordics and Zodiak Media. Houlind will officially take over from current chief executive Karin Stjärne on 31 August 2020 who will subsequently leave the business.

Commenting on the new role, Houlind said: “Banijay Nordic has long been the home of some of the region’s strongest talent and I am honoured to be welcoming a host of new creative entrepreneurs into the fold. Combining the strengths of both groups and continuing a multi-brand strategy with a strong focus on creativity, I hope Banijay Nordic will long-continue to be a renowned home for the best creatives in the region - on and off-screen, and a home for IP that travels the world.”

Marco Bassetti, group CEO of Banijay added: “Jacob has long been a part of Banijay’s journey. An entrepreneur with a strong creative eye, he is an admirable leader, commercially astute and the best pair of hands to oversee what will be an even more significant region for us moving forwards. With scale, an immense portfolio of IP and some of the best talent in the business, we are excited to see what he and the team have in store for the future. In the meantime, I’d like to thank Karin for her efforts over the years in building up the EndemolShine Nordics portfolio and production offering.”