Endemol Shine hires strategic chief from Yahoo

Endemol Shine Group has poached a senior director from digital firm Yahoo to become its director, strategy and commercial development.

Wim Ponnet has been at Yahoo EMEA, which former Channel 5 chief Dawn Airey runs, since 2011, but moves to Big Brother firm ESG this autumn.

He will report directly to Endemol Shine CEO Sophie Turner Laing, and work out of the firm’s bases in the UK and the Netherlands.

Ponnet’s remit will include overseeing the group’s commercial and M&A business, the Endemol Beyond digital team and research units.

Significantly, he will identify and pursue new business opportunities, including acquisitions and expansion into new markets.

“Wim’s wealth of experience and expertise make him ideally suited to shape and drive our long term strategic goals,” said Turner Laing. His role will be essential to keeping us at the forefront of innovation in content creation, production and distribution as we continue to grow our business and equip ourselves for the future.”