Based in Miami, he will lead the new regional division spanning Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and the US Hispanic market.
Media and entertainment group, Banijay Entertainment, today confirms Laurens Drillich as Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Latin America.
Based in Miami, and now reporting to Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Entertainment, he will lead the new regional division spanning Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and the US Hispanic market.
Uniting Banijay Entertainment’s businesses in the region, Banijay Latin America comprises of entertainment powerhouse Endemol Shine Boomdog in Mexico and its operation Banijay Colombia; scripted studio A Fábrica in Brasil, Mexico and the US Hispanic market, along with São Paulo-based Endemol Shine Brasil. One of Latin America’s most far-reaching content and production ecosystems, the division is also home to Endemol Shine Boomdog’s post-production company Wide Angle and Banijay Estúdios, the largest studio complex in the region, operated by Endemol Shine Brasil.
Banijay Latin America is responsible for powering a number of high-profile entertainment franchises in the region like La Casa de los Famosos (Telemundo/Televisa/RCN), MasterChef (TV Azteca, Disney+, Band, Warner, RCN), All Together Now (Record), Love is Blind Brasil and Physical 100 Mexico (Netflix) and LOL: Last One Laughing across Mexico, Colombia & Argentina, (Prime Video). The division also controls the Big Brother Brazil license (Globo) and is behind premium scripted hits like Desperate Lies (Netflix) and Como Agua Para Chocolate (HBO), theatrical releases including Once Upon a Time and Special Agents; live experience Luminiscence with LOTCHI (part of Banijay Live), and a growing portfolio of high-volume branded and digital micro-content for platforms like Kwai and ReelShort.
Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay Entertainment comments: “As we continue to strengthen our footprint around the world, having dedicated regional leadership remains a priority. In concentrating our operations across Latin America, we are looking to maintain the region’s ongoing success and growth, while maximising value across our entertainment platform in content, live, digital and sport. Having played an instrumental role in the region for more than a decade, we believe Laurens is perfectly placed to lead this ambitious next phase.”
Laurens Drillich, CEO, Banijay Latin America comments: “We have already built an exceptional portfolio of talent and activities in Latin America, but fortunately there are still many more opportunities to be explored, as we look to continue evolving and shaping the future of entertainment across these beautiful countries. I could not be happier to be leading the strategy and supporting our efforts in bringing more amazing shows to screen that further elevate the Banijay brand on the world stage.”
An Emmy award-winning producer and director, Drillich has served as President, Endemol Shine Latino since 2016, overseeing significant growth across the region, and more recently, working with Ben Samek, CEO, Banijay America to further expand the group’s Spanish and Portuguese-language operations. Previously, he served as CEO of Endemol Shine Netherlands, the country’s largest production company at the time, and led Endemol’s Spanish-language sales and production operations in US and Mexico. He was Chairman and CEO of Dutch broadcaster BNN.
Samek continues to serve as a board member and consultant to the Latin America group, while shifting his primary focus to Banijay America and the U.S.-focused activities and growth.
