FRAPA - the Format Recognition and Protection Association- has announced that Phil Gurin and Lisette van Diepen will step down from their board responsibilities later this year.
Gurin has served on the FRAPA board for 16 years, most recently as chair for the past 10, and is president and CEO of award-winning prodco The Gurin Company and founder of specialist format distribution company TGC Global Entertainment (TGC GE).
Also stepping down after 10 years on the management board is international format expert Lisette van Diepen, who joined the FRAPA general board in 2015, rising to become the association’s treasurer in 2019. Van Diepen is currently consulting to BBC Studios Nordic for Scandinavia and acquiring content for Benelux production group Vincent TV and German prodco Brot und Butter.
The Management Board of FRAPA said “It is with sadness and huge gratitude that we thank Phil and Lisette for their incredible contributions to FRAPA for the past decade and beyond. As FRAPA celebrates its 25th anniversary, it seems fitting to forge ahead into the future and explore how its mission continues in the ever evolving media landscape. We look forward to working with our Advisory Board on this and sharing with the wider community our next steps very soon, and seeing our friends and familiar faces at MIPCOM where we will absolutely celebrate Phil and Lisette’s undeniable contribution to FRAPA and the industry as a whole.”
Gurin said: “As I prepare to exit stage left from FRAPA, I can say hand on heart that it’s been a privilege to work with so many passionate professionals to help grow this unique volunteer organisation. But as FRAPA moves ahead, it’s time to hand over the reins to a new generation to tackle the many issues confronting our industry. As for my own future, I have ambitious plans for The Gurin Company and TGC Global Entertainment. Plus, I'm super excited about helping the TV Academy understand and engage with the world of international formats. Suffice to say..
FRAPA will continue to have a strong presence at MIPCOM in Cannes as it supports the International Format Awards and presents the FRAPA Formats Summit Monday 13th October at 3pm in the MIP Creative Hub. Hosted by Gurin, the session will be the go to moment for the format industry to network and discuss the most pressing issues and opportunities of the day.
