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FreemantleMedia ups Georgia Brown as EVP – global scripted & factual content
MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has promoted Georgia Brown to the role of executive vice president – global scripted and factual content.
Brown joined FremantleMedia International’s (FMI) global division last year as senior vice president of scripted.
In her new role, Brown will oversee acquisitions for FMI and will provide a pivotal link between FMI and its in-house production teams. The role has been created as the company seeks to further drive its content acquisition strategy and generate strong commercial returns on its in-house scripted output.
Brown will have dual reporting lines, working to both FremantleMedia Group COO & CEO of emerging markets Sangeeta Desai and FMI CEO Jens Richter in order to manage the commercial aspects of its scripted activity on behalf of FremantleMedia Group and third party content acquisition across scripted and non-scripted respectively.
Working with Richter, Brown will oversee the existing teams on the acquisition of third party content for FMI to distribute, building and complementing FremantleMedia’s existing catalogue. She will work with FremantleMedia’s in-house producers on all co-production and co-financing arrangements in order to maximise returns on behalf of the overall FremantleMedia Group.
Brown will also work with the M&A team to identify potential future acquisitions or creative partnerships, and will be involved in the integration of these companies post acquisition.
Richter said, “Georgia’s talent and passion for content together with her fantastic relationships with the best writing and production talent in the industry makes her the perfect person to lead our acquisition and development business with our brilliant teams in the US and the UK. She’s already secured some great primetime scripted content for FMI since joining FremantleMedia earlier this year and I’m really excited about what the team will deliver in the future.”
Desai added, “As we continue to grow our content pipeline and creative partnerships around the world, Georgia’s industry knowledge and expertise of funding and international co-financing together with her strong track record in deal making will be instrumental.”
Brown said, “It’s such an exciting time to be working at FremantleMedia, as the business continues to grow and diversify at an incredible pace, and I’m thrilled to be working so closely with Sangeeta, Jens and the wider FremantleMedia teams. Our ambition is to make FremantleMedia the first port of call for any creatives wanting to showcase their work to audiences all over the world, and to recognise our talented in-house teams and the very best third party producers by creating tailored commercial deals that generate the best possible returns for their content.”
At Shine International she was SVP of acquisitions overseeing a range of projects. Before Shine, Brown was previously a commercial manager, at BBC Worldwide.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
