MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW), the licensing division of FremantleMedia announced the promotion of Olivier Gers to FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas executive vice president, as part of the continuing evolution of its ancillary rights business in the US.
In this newly created position, Gers will be responsible for all ancillary rights activities for the Americas (including North America and Latin America) including interactive, consumer products, telephony, live entertainment and sponsorship. Gers was promoted to this position from his current role of senior vice president, licensing and will continue to report to FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide CEO Simon Spalding.
Spalding said, "This is an extremely exciting time for us in the US and Olivier's promotion marks the growing importance of this market for the division and the further opportunities offered by the broader territory. Olivier has made a significant impact on the growth of the business and I am confident that, with his great talent and experience, he and his team will be able to build upon FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide's existing reputation and success and further strengthen our position as leading ancillary rights experts in the region."
Prior to joining FremantleMedia, Gers founded and led two different start-ups. The first, Odaddy.Com, was a website that put parenting in 'guy-speak' and provided the first ever online community for fathers. Gers also founded and set up Fulcrum Group, a consultancy offering opportunity assessment, strategic repositioning and interim management services to overseas companies looking to increase their presence in North America. Among his clients were BBC Worldwide Americas, Broadway Video and the French online sports venture, Sport4fun SA.
From 1995 to 2000 Gers served as Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Manager for the internet, entertainment and novelty divisions of Golden Books Family Entertainment. Under his direction these divisions became the company's most profitable business areas, generating more than $50 million in revenue.
In addition, Gers revitalised some of the company's most popular yet under-utilised properties, including Pat the Bunny and Poky Little Puppy, by beefing up merchandising, licensing, video and music.
