People

Following the completion of its merger with All3Media, Banijay Entertainment has confirmed that Cathy Payne will lead the group's newly combined global distribution business, while All3Media International CEO Louise Pedersen will step down from the company.
Payne will remain CEO of Banijay Rights, which will become the name of the unified distribution division following the integration of Banijay Rights and All3Media International. The combined operation will bring together two of the industry's largest distribution catalogues under a single leadership structure.

Jane Turton, Deputy CEO of Banijay Entertainment, paid tribute to Pedersen's contribution to the business: "Working with Louise has been a genuine pleasure. I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of everyone across the business and wish her all the very best for the future." Turton also expressed confidence in Payne's leadership as the integration begins. "I very much look forward to working with Cathy as she brings the All3Media International and Banijay Rights businesses together. Cathy is a hugely experienced and respected strategic leader in the world of rights exploitation, and it is an exciting time to be combining these two market leading companies and catalogues."

Looking ahead, Payne highlighted both the complementary portfolios and the talent across the two businesses. "All3Media International has long been a beacon for brilliant formats, scripted titles, and premium English-language content that delivers for linear, streamers and new platforms and I look forward to bridging these worlds to bring our clients a first-class entertainment offering across all genres." She added that the merger is about more than combining intellectual property. "While the IP of course sits at the heart of the combination, for me it's also about the people. In All3Media International and Banijay Rights, we have an exceptional breadth of talent and uniting them will deliver us quite possibly the strongest team in our space. While it will be some time until we are 'one', I am confident that we will be well-placed to continue delivering growth for the group at-large."