Super-indie group Banijay Entertainment has announced a combined leadership structure for its central scripted division, promoting Steve Matthews to Head of Scripted, Creative, and Johannes Jensen to Head of Scripted, Business.
Reporting to Banijay’s Chief Business Officer Frédéric Balmary, the pair will work with the group’s portfolio of over 60 scripted production labels.
Matthews, who joined the company in 2023 as Content Partnerships Executive, will drive creative vision across Banijay Entertainment’s global portfolio. Jensen takes the helm of the scripted division’s financial and operational strategy to boost performance, support shows to-air, and foster sustainable growth. His new role extends his remit beyond his position as Head of Scripted, Banijay Nordic.
Banijay Entertainment’s scripted productions include Rogue Heroes Series 2, The Rig Season 2, Ripley, The Sixth Commandment, Culpa Tuya, The World According to Lidea Poët, Like Water for Chocolate, Fallen, A Remarkable Place to Die, 30 Coins, Billionaire’s Island, Rivière Perdue and NCIS: Sydney.
Denis Leroy, Senior Director, also sits within the central scripted division, with a specialism in sourcing and developing international scripted formats and book IP. Leroy has led adaptations like SKAM, Fleabag and La Caza. Monterpedido (Rivière-Perdue), in France, and struck numerous deals for best-selling French IP.
Balmary said: “We are incredibly proud of our producers’ achievements in this space and as we continue to grow, the refreshed roles for Steve and Johannes will strengthen our creative and business acumen, ensuring we continue to innovate and lead on the global stage.”
Matthews said: “The key is to support and empower editorial teams and to foster strong creative partnerships between them, across Banijay Entertainment’s scripted network. In working together to develop enduring relationships with talent - established or emerging - we will continue to grow the group’s reputation for first class storytelling”
Jensen said: “In an increasingly competitive environment, success is built on creating and exploiting the most powerful slate of scripted IP possible. Collaboration drives that success, and this new structure will align deal-making nous with creative prowess to ensure we remain globally influential.”
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
BBC launches pay model for US website
The BBC has launched the first phase of a pay model for visitors to its website in the United States.
Denis Villeneuve to direct next James Bond film
Denis Villeneuve has been named by Amazon MGM Studios as the director of the next James Bond film.
BBC CTO Peter O’Kane to step down
BBC Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Peter O’Kane is to step down later this year.
IBC2025: Future Tech to showcase very best of innovation in Hall 14
Ahead of this year’s show, IBC has announced the launch of Future Tech – a dynamic hub of emerging technologies, collaborative projects and next-gen talent taking up all of Hall 14.
Hilary Rosen appointed Deputy Chair of BAFTA’s board of trustees
UKTV Director of Commissioning Hilary Rosen has been elected Deputy Chair of BAFTA’s board of trustees.
