People

Banijay today confirms Marcus Wolter will lead its German operations following the recent acquisition of Endemol Shine Group. As Banijay Germany’s CEO and Co-Partner, he will oversee the country’s portfolio of companies which include Brainpool, for which he also acts as MD, Banijay Productions, Good Times, Endemol Shine Germany, MadeFor, Raab TV, Lucky Pics and MTS Künstler Management among others.

Representing the group’s ethos of “storymaking set free”, Banijay Germany is a leading collective of independent entertainment producers and creative entrepreneurs. Investing in innovative and fresh content that is born locally and travels globally, the business is behind some of the country’s best-loved productions including Masked Singer (ProSieben), Schlag den Star (Beat the Star) (ProSieben), Wer wird Millionär? (Who Wants to be a Millionaire)(RTL), Tatort Weimar und Tatort Dresden (Das Erste), Temptation Island (TVNow / RTL), Promi Big Brother (Celebrity Big Brother) (Sat.1), Promis unter Palmen (Sat.1), Kitchen Impossible (VOX), Luke! Die Greatnightshow (Sat.1) and Free European Song Contest (ProSieben).

Wolter joined the business back in 2018 from Endemol Shine Germany, where he was CEO, and Chairman Northern Europe for Endemol Shine Group.

The country’s newly finalised structure also sees Fabian Tobias, currently Managing Director of Brainpool’s Show and Factual Division, take up the role of Managing Director for Endemol Shine Germany. He will be joined by Ute März, who has been appointed co-CEO of the entity, having served as Chief Finance Officer since 2002. The leaders of Banijay Germany’s other entities remain unchanged.

Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer at Banijay comments: “In Marcus we have an exceptionally strong and strategic leader. Familiar with both sides of the footprint, he is well-placed to oversee the country’s seamless integration, while driving efficient and effective businesses for the future. Having already proven their strength in generating new IP alongside the production of key group-owned IP, his network of companies, along with the new additions, provide an incredibly diverse offering for clients and audiences alike.”

Marcus Wolter, CEO and co-partner Banijay Germany comments: "Banijay Germany prides itself on developing, creating and producing some of the country’s best brands. By bringing together this excellent collective of first-class producers, partners, artists and colleagues, we are building a home for the best creative talent to devise the next generation of entertainment for all platforms. Our business was built on independence, creative freedom and creative entrepreneurialism and I am dedicated to working with our new team to see this live on.”

Magnus Kastner, who has served as CEO at Endemol Shine Germany since 2018, will step down from his role.