Banijay hires ex-Warner Bros. & BBCS exec for key unscripted role in France

Jean-Louis Blot

Banijay has appointed former Warner Bros. and BBC Worldwide (now BBC Studios) exec Jean-Louis Blot as CEO of Endemol Shine Production in France.

Blot’s responsibilities include leading the prodco’s unscripted operations, with a remit to increase creativity and the firm’s IP pipeline.

Blot previously helped to launch BBC Worldwide Productions France in 2008, which marked the first French subsidiary for the BBC’s commercial operations.

He worked at the company until 2016, when he moved to Warner Bros. International Television Production France, which he also helped too launch.

Blot’s appointment by Banijay follows that of former StudioCanal exec Dominique Farrugia, who started his role as head of Endemol Shine Fiction last month.

Appointment follows French rejig

Blot’s arrival comes six months after the exit of Endemol Shine France’s president Nicolas Coppermann and the appointment of François de Brugada as CEO of the production giant’s operations in France.

Brugada, a former head of unscripted commissining at broadcaster M6, oversees all operations for Banijay France, recently expanded following the completion of the Endemol Shine deal earlier this year.

Brugada said: “For the past 10 years, [Jean-Louis] has demonstrated a strong ability in anticipating trends in the French market and strategically capitalising on growth and success opportunities.

“With the know-how and creativity of Endemol Shine Production, the amazing tank of ideas that is the Banijay catalogue, and Jean-Louis leading, I am confident in our company’s future.”

Banijay’s French operations house 10 companies, including unscripted firms Adventure Line Productions, Air Productions, Banijay Productions France, EndemolShine France, H2O Productions and KM Production.

Its scripted interests include Banijay Studios France, EndemolShine Fiction, Marathon Studio and Terence Films.