Baudry exits Banijay after eight years

Fanny Baudry is leaving her role as VP of global acquisitions, formats and programmes at Banijay Group after eight years with the French company,” TBI has learned.

She was one of the earliest Banijay employees, working under Stéphane Courbit after he left Endemol France to create the business in 2008.

Banijay merged with Zodiak Media Group earlier this year, leading to the exit of most of the Banijay International sales executives, including CEO Emmanuelle Namiech, to exit, as TBI revealed at the time.

A number have since resurfaced, with Jimmy Humphrey joining Namiech at UK-based Passion as head of acquisitions, Michael Jackson hired by Blue Ant International in a senior director role, Siobhan Herriot taking over as head of sales for The New Flemish Primitives, and Dimitri Gélineau becoming head of international at CALT Distribution.

Baudry remained with the business, but is now exiting to “pursue other opportunities”.

Baudry has acquired formats for Banjiay prodcos such as Bunim-Murray Productions, Air Production and Nordisk Film TV (now Banijay Zodiak Nordic). In 2012, she moved to LA, taking up her current role.

There she focused on finished programming, coproductions and new business, closing an output deal with Lionsgate- and CBS-owned cable channel Pop and a formats incubation deal with CBC.

“I am very proud to have been part of the creation and growth of what has become one of the major player in the industry,” said Baudry. “I’d especially like to thank Stéphane Courbit for his vision, support and leadership over the years.”

Baudry’s departure comes soon after the news Banijay UK CEO Rod Henwood was exiting the business, and the hire of Lagardère Entertainment’s Takis Candilis as group head of scripted.