Switchover alumnus joins Nespega at indie

Giuliano Tranquilli has reunited with Switchover Media co-founder Francesco Nespega at Italian indie producer Stand By Me.

Nespega bought a 50% stake in Stand By Me last year after selling Italian DTT broadcaster Switchover to Discovery Communications, and has now been named president.

His team will include Tranquilli, who becomes head of content and business development, Davide Acampara, who is named head of the format department, and Teresa Carducci, who is now head of production.

“Bringing together these executives is the key to expanding our business in Italy and abroad,” said founder Simona Ercolani.

Tranquili and Nespega both consulted for Discovery after selling Switchover, which they had launched after leading an MBO of Disney-owned Jetix Italy.

He oversaw Switchover’s five thematic digital terrestrial channels as partner and head of programming strategy, and before that was also head of brand for MTV.

At producer and distributor Stand By Me, which Ercolani created five yars ago, Tranquilli will work closely with the format and production divisions to develop in-house productions and oversee international coproductions and partnerships. “I am incredibly excited about taking on this role and working with a brilliant talent such as Simona Ercolani,” said Tranquilli.

Stand By Me has produced around 300 hours of programming in the factual, factual entertainment, documentary, docu-reality and scripted reality genres.

Stand By Me’s programming includes Alta Infedeltà (Hi Infidelity) for Discovery Networks Italy, Sconosciuti (Ordinary People) and Coppie in Attesa (Expecting Couples) for pubcaster Rai, MTV Italy’s local version of 16 and Pregnant and C+I’s crime series 24 Ore per Morire (24 Hours to Die).

“We really believe that Stand By Me has the strengths to sell our own original formats, and we already got interest from Eastern Europe countries,” said Ercolani.