Keshet Studios hires Banijay execs to lead US push into unscripted & formats

Rebecca Mayer

Keshet Studios is pushing into unscripted in the US and has hired two senior execs from Banijay Studios North America to oversee the expansion.

Rebecca Mayer becomes EVP of unscripted at Keshet Studios, while Ben Long takes the VP role. Both execs will use Keshet International’s IP to build a non-scripted slate of entertainment formats for the US broadcast, cable and streaming markets.

Benjamin Long

Original IP will also be developed for distribution via KI, with the duo – who departed Banijay in November – based out of LA. Long reports into Mayer, who in turn reports to Peter Traugott, president of Keshet Studios.

Keshet Studios has to date focused on scripted content Stateside, with series including A Small Light for Nat Geo/Disney+, Echo 3 for Apple TV+ and La Brea for NBC.

Banijay context & Keshet’s ‘new journey’

The departures come two months since Banijay restructured its operations in the Americas, with CEO Cris Abrego stepping down to focus on M&A.

He was replaced by fellow Endemol alum Ben Samek, who oversees the recently created Banijay Americas division, which houses all production labels across the two continents including Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions and Authentic Entertainment, as well as Mexico-based Endemol Shine Boomdog and A Fábrica in Brazil.

Mayer was previously EVP of programming & development at Banijay Studios North America, overseeing current programming such as Temptation Island, while also developing original IP and adapting existing formats.

Prior to that, she was a development consultant and producer at Universal Television Alternative Studio and was also a showrunner and executive producer on shows such as Toddlers & Tiaras for TLC and FABLife for ABC.

Long had been at Banijay for six years, most recently as director of development, and worked closely with Mayer on projects for the France-based production giant.

Traugott said: “As individuals, their extensive development and production experience is impressive, but together as a team, their combined creativity and passion make them a dream hire as we look to expand our remit into unscripted.”

Keren Shahar, CEO of Keshet International, added that the duo’s arrival “signifies the beginning of a new journey for Keshet Studios, and something of a return to form for Keshet International. We launched as a formats business a decade ago and I am personally very excited to be announcing KI’s expansion into unscripted in the US.”