Industry

Banijay today uncovers its leadership plans for Creative Networks, with James Townley and Lucas Green remaining in the business to lead the central content team. Both reporting to Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti, they will be tasked with driving a healthy IP pipeline, establishing, nurturing and protecting strong global super-brands and collaborating with the group’s creative entrepreneurs to sustain the best global storymaking.

In the revised posts, Green will become Global Head of Content Operations. He will be at the helm of all super-brands and existing IP in the combined format catalogue, including MasterChef, Big Brother, Survivor, Temptation Island and Deal or No Deal. Taking on all existing unscripted formats, his remit will cover Banijay’s 22-territory footprint, to promote recommissions, reboots and returnability, while ensuring integrity and consistency across adaptations and borders. Setting the strategy for world-class brands and priority titles, he and his team will lead the constant interrogation of the 88,000-hour catalogue to explore further roll-out and spin-offs. Ensuring maximum uptake for the group’s titles, his team comprises genre-spanning format managers and consultants responsible for evolving brand bibles and setting production best practice for the group.

Townley becomes Global Head of Content Development, taking ownership of influencing and driving the development and creation of original unscripted IP across the group to ensure a strong pipeline of formats with international appeal. In addition, he will manage internal creative incentivisation and pilot schemes, and targeted development for new platforms. In its new capacity, his team also includes Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Head of Format Acquisitions, who will continue to lead third-party acquisitions for the catalogue and production across the footprint.

In the new role, Townley will also partner with Green to facilitate material sharing worldwide via internal systems and global internal events, and with Banijay Rights, the pair will launch new programming slates at all key international markets.

Marco Bassetti comments: “Creativity and innovation remain at the heart of our business as we continue to evolve and manage one of the most significant IP portfolios in the world. With our host of global super brands and ever-evolving pipeline remaining equal in importance, it was crucial we had a set of strong creative entrepreneurs at the helm to balance protection with growth. In James and Lucas, we have a first-class leadership team who can ensure both areas are prioritised as they set off on their independent missions to nurture format development, exploit our brands across the footprint and champion high-quality delivery across our client base.”

James Townley comments: “In our new capacity as a world leader, we are fortunate to work with some of the most talented, successful and diverse creatives in the industry. Creative Networks is here to strategically support, invest and further enhance the development of new ideas with the hope of fostering the super-brands of tomorrow. Supercharging and strengthening the IP pipeline is paramount to the business. Already the group has witnessed the likes of Big Brother, Temptation Island, Survivor and MasterChef captivate the world and with our strong global footprint and talent, the future looks incredibly bright.”

Lucas Green comments: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my three years so far at Banijay and I can’t wait to generate maximum creative value from the huge new formats arriving in the group. In our new department we’re harnessing the best minds from both sides of the business to write the next chapter in the story of the world’s best formats.”

In addition to their dedicated remits, the duo will oversee the group’s overarching marketing team, responsible for devising and executing the company’s targeted strategy to deliver high-profile, captivating 360° trade campaigns.