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 Banijay  today announces the elevation of James Townley and Lucas Green. Continuing to oversee Creative Networks, the group’s non-scripted operation, the pair will now operate as Chief Content Officer, Development and Chief Content Officer, Operations respectively.

Taking effect immediately, the elevations signal Banijay’s continued commitment to creativity. As Chief Content Officer, Development, Townley maintains his position in enhancing unscripted development across the group at-large, while also overseeing 3rd-party format acquisition. Expanding his remit to include documentary, his department continues to manage all group level investment in non-scripted, including the Creative Fund, which to date has already supported the evolution of original travelling formats, Blow Up (EndemolShine Nederland ), Love Triangle (Endemol Shine Australia) and Starstruck (Remarkable). In 2022 alone, Banijay was behind the launch of 200+ non-scripted titles, and 90+ pilots, and with further creative incentivisation and reinvestment on the horizon, the organisation’s supercharged pipeline looks strong for 2023, with The Summit (Endemol Shine Australia), Hot Wheels (Endemol Shine North America in association with Workerbee under license from Mattel Inc.) and Rush (Endemol Shine Australia) commissioned and garnering further interest globally.

In the Chief Content Officer, Operations role, Green partners with the group’s non-scripted labels worldwide to drive production efficiency and creative best practice. Bringing producers together, he and his team support, scrutinise and champion existing formats to ensure high-quality output, innovative production methods, favourable margins, and unrivalled global footprints. Establishing healthy production ecosystems, his team provides production consultancy to implement Banijay’s vast collection of format bibles. One further key aim is the ongoing expansion, success, and brand integrity of superbrands such as Big Brother, Survivor, MasterChef, Temptation Island, and their spin-offs. Recently evolving the role, he also takes responsibility for ESG (environment, social and governance) across the unscripted portfolio, in keeping with the business’ overarching goals in this area.

Both parties report to Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti, who said of the promotions: “James and Lucas have been fantastic forces for Creative Networks, ensuring a productive, well-travelled non-scripted pipeline. Creative reinvestment, efficiency and rights retention are all central to our global strategy, and to date, the pair have been key in championing these elements across the group globally. While the market has its challenges, we have a robust operation in place to maintain the high standards of delivery and innovation our buyers have become accustomed to, and ultimately, our leading position in international formats.”

The announcement follows K7’s latest report, which unveiled Banijay as “Distributor of the Year” for producing the most new format launches in the market for 2022