Format acquisitions boss exits Zodiak

Nathan Gibbs has left his role as Zodiak Media’s head of format acquisitions, TBI has learned.

Gibbs joined Zodiak from Endemol Australia last October soon to work on acquisitions with Grant Ross, who had been drafted in as executive VP, global creative development and format acquisitions.

TBI understands Gibbs left the company before the merger of Zodiak and Banijay Group was announced earlier this week.

Zodiak were unable to confirm his departure, but a source said he is no longer with the firm.

His hire, which meant the exec relocating from Sydney to London, was part of a new formats drive for Zodiak, which has been searching for one that consistently delivers significant returns for the group.

Among his duties were acquisition of third-party rights for distribution, and working on third-party and in-house formats from local Zodiak production companies.

At Endemol Australia, which this week formally became Endemol Shine Australia, Gibbs held several roles, including head of development and executive producer.

He worked on shows including Deal or No Deal, Big Brother and Wipeout, acquired title such as Survivor, Babes on the Bus and Don’t Tell the Bus.

He also worked at Fox World International (now part of Fox Television Studios) and Australian broadcaster Seven Network.

Zodiak CEO Marc-Antoine d’Halluin will exit the merged Zodiak and Banijay production and distribution giant once the deal finalises, with Banijay boss Marco Bassetti taking on the wider chief executive post and Stephané Courbit becoming chairman.