5 October, 2009:
FremantleMedia Enterprises drives content development launching new children’s division
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the commercial and brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, announced today the appointment of award-winning producer Sander Schwartz as EVP, Head of Children and Family Entertainment, to continue its strategic push in content development and the expansion of FME’s global portfolio. The role will enable FME to further drive their presence in the market, and establish content more specifically aimed at children and family audiences, as well as expand wide-ranging brand licensing programmes around key content.
Reporting directly to David Ellender, Global CEO of FremantleMedia Enterprises, Schwartz is responsible for developing the vision and strategic plan for children’s content, building deeper relationships with producers, third party IP owners and broadcasters to create and deliver exciting and innovative new programming and brand content, in addition to determining commercially viable platforms.
“We could not ask for someone more respected in the industry to spearhead this division,” said David Ellender. “Sander’s track record, wide-ranging experience and innovation he’s brought to the children’s sector is unrivalled and we look forward to our exciting future ahead.”
Sander Schwartz commented, “I am delighted to join FME in this exciting new role. Children’s programming and family entertainment is my passion and I am very pleased to be charged with the mission of building this important sector for FME.”
In addition to multiple Emmy Award nominations, Schwartz won an Emmy Award for his role in producing “The Batman” series for Kids WB! and he has received numerous other awards including the Peabody Award and the prestigious Prism Award.
Prior to pursuing independent production in 2008, Schwartz has served in several executive roles within the industry including President, International Production for Sony Pictures Television International and President of Warner Bros. Animation. Before joining Warner Bros. in 2001, he was Sony Pictures Family Entertainment’s first President, after serving as head of Columbia TriStar Television Children’s Programming.
Throughout his 20+ year career, Schwartz has also been involved in the multiple Emmy Award-winning programme “What’s New Scooby Doo” and the Emmy-nominated “Xiaolin Showdown”, as well as the development and production of feature films based on all-new characters at Warner Bros. Pictures and the studio’s classic “Looney Tunes”, DC Comics, and Hanna-Barbera properties. Schwartz was responsible for revitalizing the iconic Tom & Jerry franchise for Warner Bros., including the introduction of “Tom and Jerry Tales” in which the classic animation superstars appeared in their first new U.S. television series in more than 15 years. He led production on the feature short “Daffy Duck for President”, based on the late “Looney Tunes” legend Chuck Jones’ last book, and during his tenure at Warner Bros., he was also responsible for the development, production, marketing and sales of television and direct-to-video product distributed worldwide.
Schwartz begins his role immediately at FME.
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Notes to Editors
ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 14,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.