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FremantleMedia reveals Jury Members for CEO’s Got Talent
MUMBAI: Following the announcement of the new initiative, CEO’s Got Talent, FremantleMedia today announced its distinguished three-member jury for the evening. Bringing together the mavericks of the corporate and entertainment world on a common platform, Raj Nayak, CEO, COLORS; celebrated director-producer Mahesh Bhatt and renowned actor Raveena Tandon are all set to be part of the jury panel. Hosted by Mini Mathur, CEO’s Got Talent is a unique initiative, featuring 12 CEOs of India Inc.showcasing a fun and lighter side to themselves. The event is set to take place at Grand Hyatt Mumbai on Friday, March 7, 2014 and will be telecast on CNBC TV18.
Illustrious Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon, jury member said, “I have recently started my own venture and, so, I can confirm first-hand that it is very difficult to find a balance between work and play. I feel humbled to be given the opportunity to be a part of this unique initiative which allows you to witness never-seen-before talent of corporates on stage. The fact that proceeds raised through this initiative will be donated towards the welfare of under-privileged children and make a difference in their lives also prompted my decision to judge this event.”
Speaking about his decision to be part of the jury, acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said, “Over the years, discovering impressive talent and bringing them to the limelight has been my passion. Through my association with CEO’s Got Talent, I am looking forward to extend my expertise to Corporate India. The initiative is a novel concept with the head-honchos from the corporate world revealing their hidden side. I am happy to be a part of this initiative and am looking forward to an enjoyable and entertaining evening witnessing the fantastic talent of today’s leaders.”
Raj Nayak, CEO, COLORS said, “CEO’s Got Talent is an incredible initiative being undertaken by FremantleMedia to encourage CEOs from across the country to step away from the hustle and bustle of their daily routine and showcase their talent. I am elated to be associated with the property as a jury member and look forward to witnessing the creative side of today’s young and upcoming leaders who have taken the corporate world by storm.”
Produced by FremantleMedia and presented by Blackberry Messenger, CEO’s Got Talent will showcase India Inc.’s leaders in a manner never seen before, even by their peers. Proceeds from CEO’s Got Talent will go to Genesis Foundation, who provide financial support for life-saving and life-changing medical intervention for critically ill under-privileged children in areas of cancer, cardiac disorder, organ failure, thalassemia and extreme deformitie.
Fiction
Banijay merges with All3Media in $6.65 billion deal
Marco Bassetti will lead the combined company as CEO
PARIS: Six years after acquiring Endemol Shine at the height of the pandemic, Banijay has struck again. The European production heavyweight is merging with All3Media in a deal that will create a television titan with $6.65 billion in revenue and redraw the contours of a fast-consolidating market.
The combined company will trade under the Banijay name and be owned 50 per cent each by Banijay Group and RedBird IMI, which acquired All3Media in 2024. The transaction is expected to close by autumn, subject to regulatory approvals.
Banijay Entertainment CEO Marco Bassetti, will take the top job at the enlarged group. All3Media CEO Jane Turton becomes deputy CEO. RedBird IMI CEO Jeff Zucker will serve as chairman.
The logic is scale. Broadcasters are commissioning less, streamers are tightening budgets and global buyers are fewer but bigger. Against that backdrop, heft matters. The merged entity will generate roughly $6.65 billion in revenues based on 2024 figures, giving it sharper elbows in rights negotiations and deeper pockets for franchise-building.
“Entrepreneurialism, ambition and creativity” remain core to Banijay’s DNA, Bassetti said, flagging plans to invest more heavily in new intellectual property, live events and emerging platforms. Turton struck a similarly bullish note, pointing to All3Media’s journey from a 2003 start-up to a global supplier of hit formats and high-end drama.
Between them, the two groups control a formidable slate. Banijay’s catalogue spans MasterChef, Big Brother, Survivor, Black Mirror, Peaky Blinders and Deal or No Deal. All3Media’s labels include Studio Lambert, producer of The Traitors and Squid Game: The Challenge; Two Brothers, behind The Tourist; and Neal Street, currently producing the forthcoming Beatles biopics directed by Sam Mendes for Sony.
The back catalogue is equally muscular. Banijay Rights holds some 220,000 hours, while All3Media International adds around 35,000 hours, forming one of the industry’s largest libraries.
Banijay, controlled by French entrepreneur Stéphane Courbit and listed in Amsterdam, counts more than 130 production companies across 25 territories. All3Media operates over 40 labels, with strong positions in the UK, US and Germany. The enlarged group will also lean into live entertainment, building on Banijay’s Balich Wonder Studio, which produced the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and the Independents.
The deal marks a shift in tone. As recently as October, Bassetti suggested that mergers and acquisitions were not a priority. But the drumbeat of consolidation has grown louder. Mediawan has moved for Peter Chernin’s North Road. David Ellison’s Paramount has agreed to a $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros, with plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount plus. ITV has explored selling its media and entertainment arm to Comcast-owned Sky, though talks have reportedly slowed.
