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Cecile Frot-Coutaz Is Fremantlemedia US CEO
MUMBAI: Television format creator, producer and licensing company FremantleMedia has appointed Cecile Frot-Coutaz as the new CEO for the US.
Frot-Coutaz is currently FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) COO. He is an executive producer of American idol. She brings to this key role a wealth of business and operational expertise both in the US and Europe.
FremantleMedia CEO Tony Cohen said, “We are delighted that Cecile has accepted to take on the role of CEO of our North American company. She has had a tremendous track record of achievement at FremantleMedia over the last 10 years and we believe she has the skills to grow the business in this key market in the years to come.
“The US is a vital part of our international business. We have a great creative team in the US and under Cecile we hope to develop programming that complements our existing slate and builds on the success of American Idol.”
Frot-Coutaz says, “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to oversee the group’s US production business and look forward to working with our talented team of producers and executives to produce new, innovative programming for the US. We have some great projects in the pipeline for both network and cable and I looking forward to broadening our range of programming in the future.”
In her 10 years with FremantleMedia, Frot-Coutaz has held numerous positions at the company in both London and the US. Prior to her appointment as COO, production in 2002, she was executive VP commercial and operations at FMNA, after a period developing online and interactive businesses for FremantleMedia (formerly Pearson Television).
In 1997, Frot-Coutaz was a key member of the team that acquired and then managed the integration of All-American Fremantle assets into the group. She then became deputy CEO Southern Europe and, in January 1999, added MD France to her responsibilities.
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.
