Ben Samek named CEO of Banijay America after merger
Ben Samek will run Banijay America as chief executive of the combined business across the Americas.
Banijay confirmed the appointment on 5 October, with Samek to lead the structure created following Banijay Entertainment's merger with All3Media, according to Variety. He will report to Jane Turton, deputy chief executive officer of Banijay Entertainment. The post puts one executive in charge of television production operations across two continents.
The Americas brief has now been split in two. Banijay Entertainment has launched Banijay Latin America to cover production businesses and activities in the region. Laurens Drillich will serve as chief executive of that division.
Samek will stay connected to the southern operation. He continues as a board member and consultant to the group in connection with Banijay Latin America. He knows the machine well.
Banijay America will also house Turnkey Studio Services, the group's centralised production services business, meaning the team that handles the practical side of getting shows made. Justin Medeiros will serve as executive vice-president of production. Jacob Cohen-Holmes will serve as head of current programming.
The appointment extends Samek's run at the top. He has served as chief executive of Banijay Americas since February 2023, after working as president and chief operating officer since 2018. His elevation was announced by Banijay on 7 February 2023, when he was put in charge of its independent production studios, according to Banijay. Former chief executive Cris Abrego stepped back to chairman at that point and Samek took over day-to-day operations.
That first period brought rapid change in North America. Banijay named Sharon Levy chief executive officer of Endemol Shine North America on 9 February 2023, and described the moves as Samek's first since taking the wider role. Levy is now exiting as chief executive of Endemol Shine North America, as reported in late September by Variety.
The wider deal behind the reshuffle is large. The merger of Banijay Entertainment and All3Media created an $8 billion production group, as reported by Deadline in July. That scale covers many separate studios brought under one owner.
What sits under the announcement is work. A structure of this kind decides which teams are hired, which production services are shared and which shows keep moving through the system.
