Reed MIDEM MIPTV and MIPCOM director of television Paul Johnson has been nabbed by Endemol. He departs Reed Midem mid March, just before MIPDOC and MIPTV opens at the end of March, and then joins Endemol as its global head of marketing and brand partnerships. He will report to Endemol chief executive Ynon Kreiz.
Laurine Garaude, Reed Midem’s director of customer relationship marketing and product development will head the television division until a new director is named.
Johnson who joined Reed Midem in April 2003 was previously European sales director for The Hollywood Reporter.
In his new position, he will be required to establish relationships with leading global brands and oversee Endemol’s marketing activities, including branding, communications, event management, brand affiliation and branded content. His job will involve him in overseeing shows such as Deal or No Deal, Wipeout and Big Brother – shows which have also been produced in South Africa by the Endemol SA division based in Johannesburg.
Johnson will move to London and work alongside COO Marco Bassetti and chief commercial officer Tom Toumazis, who joined Endemol from Disney in August.
Johnson’s appointment to Endemol together with other recently appointed management executives, such as Toumazis and former 19 Management and FremantleMedia exec Martha Brass (as deputy COO) is seen as a strategic approach by Endemol to counter the global challenging financial times that will impact on worldwide broadcasting.
