FremantleMedia Installs Monica Galer as President of French Devision
London, 04 August 2011: FremantleMedia, one of the largest creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world, today announces that as of 1 September 2011, Monica Galer, who has worked in a dual capacity for the past two years, will concentrate solely on the overall management, strategy and business development of FremantleMedia France, in the newly created role of President of that company. This move signals an intensification of FremantleMedia’s focus on France, a key territory for the company.
This also marks the end of a process of revitalisation of FremantleMedia’s operations in Northern and Southern Europe, led by Ms Galer as CEO, Northern and Southern Europe, during which time she built new management teams in The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain, while fulfilling her responsibilities as CEO, FremantleMedia France.
Under her leadership, FremantleMedia France has been responsible for producing market-leading game shows, entertainment, and factual entertainment programming including The Farmer Wants a Wife (L’amour est dans le pré) which is attracting record ratings in its sixth series and is the number one show on M6, along with The Price is Right (Le Juste Prix), Password (Mot de Passe), Idols (La Nouvelle Star), Got Talent (La France a un incroyable talent), X Factor, How Clean Is Your House? (C’est du propre) and Supernanny, among others. During her tenure, the French company developed the global hit format Take Me Out, which has been on air in more than 15 territories worldwide.
Ms Galer is also a member of FremantleMedia’s IP Leadership group, which steers the Group’s international creative agenda.
Tony Cohen, CEO, FremantleMedia said: “Monica Galer is one of the architects of the European format and production industry, with formidable experience and a significant track record of success across Europe. Her creative leadership has resulted in substantial renewal across our Northern and Southern European businesses, and I am very confident that her renewed and exclusive focus on France will assure us of further success and growth in this key territory.”Monica’s appointment to this role is an indication of the strategic focus we are placing on maintaining momentum in France,” he added.
Monica Galer, President, FremantleMedia France, said: “France is an incredibly vibrant, creative and important market in the international television landscape. FremantleMedia France is responsible for creating and producing some of the country’s most popular entertainment, and I am looking forward to the opportunity of working exclusively with the French team as we expand upon our considerable creative and commercial success.”
Ms Galer joined FremantleMedia in April 2002 and is a highly experienced international TV executive, having worked for Endemol and RTL, amongst others, during her career. She established Blue Circle, FremantleMedia’s Dutch operation, as a company of outstanding creativity, producing many of the most successful shows on Dutch television. Ms Galer reports to Gary Carter, COO, FremantleMedia and remains on the Blue Circle board.