People

Banijay Benelux  has appointed Justine Huffmeijer as Managing Director of SimpelZodiak, taking up the post on 1 February 2022.

In this position, Justine Huffmeijer will have overall responsibility of SimpelZodiak, leading all business operations and overseeing its extensive portfolio which includes key brands Hunted and Temptation Island. Leading the team, Huffmeijer will have responsibility for the label’s creative pipeline for linear broadcasters and streaming platforms, with a remit to expand the slate for the local and international market. She will join the Banijay Benelux management board, reporting to company CEO Peter Lubbers.

Huffmeijer’s career encompasses a mix of broadcaster and production company experience, including Eyeworks, IDTV and Net5, where she was channel director, supervising MasterChef. Elsewhere, at RTL, she also oversaw Banijay titles, Temptation Island and Expeditie Robinson.

Peter Lubbers, CEO at Banijay Benelux comments: “Justine is well-known for her entrepreneurial creative character and enthusiasm for the media industry. She has built a versatile career and is already familiar with the beautiful brands of SimpelZodiak from previous roles.”

Justine Huffmeijer, Managing Director SimpelZodiak: "This is a fantastic opportunity which I have happily seized with both hands. To lead a company with SimpelZodiak’s reputation, specialising in adventure, reality and factual entertainment suits me like no other. I’m very much looking forward to contributing to the strong brands across the slate such as Hunted and Temptation Island and growing the business even further. I can’t wait to meet all the producers and team and build the future of SimpelZodiak together.”

Huffmeijer succeeds Laurens Woldberg, who is leaving the company to work as a Creative Producer at Dutch broadcaster KRO-NCRV.