(23 July 2005 4:00 pm)

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has appointed Cecile Frot-Coutaz as the new CEO of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA).

Frot-Coutaz is currently chief operating officer, production at FMNA and an executive producer on American Idol. She brings to this key role a wealth of business and operational expertise both in the US and Europe.

The appointment is effective immediately and she will report to FremantleMedia CEO Tony Cohen.

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 vice president commercial and operations at FMNA, after a period developing online and interactive businesses for FremantleMedia (formerly Pearson Television).