Endemol hires US digital boss

Endemol has recruited Will Keenan to run the US division of its new digital venture Endemol Beyond.

Keenan joins from YouTube channel operator Maker Studios where he was VP of vertical development and network programming.

As president of Endemol Beyond USA he will oversee the launch of the newly created digital venture in the US and work with talent in the digital space with the aim of building a network of genre focused premium channels.

Keenan will report to Cris Abrego and Charlie Corwin, co-CEOs and chairmen, Endemol North America. They said in a joint statement: “We admire the innovation that digital entrepreneurs like Keenan are bringing to this space. He is a creative and bold visionary and the right choice to lead our premium channel network in the US.”

Keenan added: “I am looking forward to leading a first of its kind premium channel network venture and a digital dream team that will transform the way digital content is experienced and delivered.”

Endemol is investing US$40 million in the Beyond venture and said it will work with platforms including YouTube, Yahoo, AOL, MSN and Dailymotion as it launches channels.