The executive will play a key part in overseeing the business units’ operational and strategic activities.
Seb Shorr has been promoted to the newly-created role of Chief Operating Officer for Fremantle’s drama and film business.
In this senior leadership role, reporting to Christian Vesper (CEO Global Drama) Seb will play a key part in overseeing the business units’ operational and strategic activities; to drive growth and commercial success for Fremantle’s TV and feature film strategy.
Working with Vesper, he will support the strategic and operational goals of the founder-led drama labels within the Fremantle Group – The Apartment, Dancing Ledge Productions, Element Pictures, Euston Films, Lux Vide, Miso Film, Passenger and Wildside – supporting them to develop and execute market-based strategies to realise their commercial and creative vision.
Similarly he will give strategic support and help further grow Fremantle’s impressive talent partnerships and deals, which include Chernobyl director Johan Renck and Michael Paret’s newly launched production company Sinestra; Michael Winterbottom’s Revolution Films; Afua Hirsch’s Born In Me; and the recently announced two-year first-look deal with Nine Hours, the new production label set up by Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy-nominated director Edward Berger.
Seb will continue to take a lead on global scripted deal-making and financial arrangements, first-look and talent deals, IP acquisition and scripted format strategy.
Christian Vesper, CEO Global Drama, Fremantle, comments: “As we continue our ambitious path for growth, this new role ensures that we are in the best possible shape to realise our strategy. I have worked closely with Seb for over six years, and truly value his commercial acumen and expertise, I could think of no one better suited to this role.”
Seb moves up from EVP Commercial and Business Affairs, a role he has held since October 2020. Prior to that he was Head of Legal and Business Affairs, International Co-Production, the role he joined Fremantle for in 2017. Seb has previously held roles at Lookout Point, James Grant Media Group, Shearman & Sterling LLP and Hogan Lovells.
