There’s a change at the top of Banijay’s Americas operation. The company, which houses a slew of production companies that make shows including Fox’s MasterChef and Amazon’s Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, has promoted Ben Samek to CEO as Cris Abrego moves out of that role but remaining as chairman. It comes as Banijay Americas officially becomes the holding company that oversees the group’s 10 production companies in North and South America, which includes Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original and 51 Minds Entertainment.
51 Minds executive Ben Samek becomes chief operating officer and Endemol USA exec Rob Smith is given expanded role of executive vice president, creative affairs.
