MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia has announced a review of its arm FremantalMedia Enterprises arm. Its plan is to create one new, stand-alone, global division focused on distribution and kids and family entertainment.

All remaining digital, licensing, sponsorship and other ancillary activities previously undertaken by FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) would be housed within FremantleMedia?s regional production operations. In addition, a new digital & branded entertainment division will be created to focus on the company?s global digital and branded entertainment activities.

As a part of the planned new structure, David Ellender, previously FME global CEO will be appointed as FremantleMedia International and Kids CEO, overseeing FremantleMedia?s new global distribution and Kids and Family Entertainment division. This is a board level position reporting directly to FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

Sander Schwartz will continue lead FremantleMedia?s Kids and Family Entertainment division, reporting to Ellender. A head of digital & branded entertainment will be appointed and announced in due course.

Frot-Coutaz said, "This is a very powerful shift in our company?s structure that we believe will significantly strengthen our core business activities, while also better positioning us to capitalise on growth opportunities for the future. We have built a formidable expertise in extending our market-leading brands both on and beyond the television screen, through licensing, sponsorship, digital activities and other valuable commercial ancillaries."

He said by transferring these skills into the local production businesses, the company creates a far more direct and seamless integration between production efforts and the commercial activity surrounding hit shows. Not only will this bolster and enhance creative development process, but it will also give the company the ability to manage and grow its brands in a far more holistic way, creating added value and the opportunity for even greater engagement with viewers around the world.

"At the same time, we will continue to focus on our world class distribution capabilities and on our growing Kids & Family Entertainment business under the leadership of David Ellender, as well as on our significant digital and branded entertainment activities worldwide. We?re very proud of the capabilities we have built through our creative and commercial operations so far, and are confident that these proposed structural changes will drive a very exciting next stage of growth and development."