Fremantle announces a new structure in Italy and the launch of a new label: The Apartment, which will focus on the creation of international drama and movies.
From 1 January 2020, the group’s activities in Italy will be developed through three separate entities, all controlled by FremantleMedia Group Limited:
The Apartment, (100% FremantleMedia Group Limited) will focus on the creation and development of global drama and movies produced with International writers and talent. The Apartment will position itself in the market as an incubator of major projects to then offer executive production to partner companies. The Apartment, among other projects, will oversee soon-to-be-aired TV series already produced by Lorenzo Mieli, such as Paolo Sorrentino’s The New Pope, Saverio Costanzo’s, My Brilliant Friend – The Story of a New Name and Luca Guadagnino’s We Are Who We Are, and will also develop any following seasons of these shows.
Fremantle Italia (100% FremantleMedia Group Limited) will focus on the production of the many entertainment shows from Fremantle’s global catalogue (from The X Factor to Got Talent), licensed third-party formats, soaps such as Un Posto al Sole (A Place in the Sun), documentaries, talk shows and reality shows.
Wildside (controlled by FremantleMedia Group Limited ) will continue to manage its activities in the creation and executive production of TV drama and movies. In 2020, the remaining minority stake in Wildside will be acquired and the company will be wholly owned by the Fremantle group. Fremantle will consolidate and expand Wildside’s position in the Italian and international markets, through new investments in talent and IP- adding to the incredibly successful global track record of the company. Wildside will work with other Fremantle companies/labels promoting new entrepreneurial initiatives allowing the group to seize new opportunities as the global market grows.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO of Fremantle said: “Italy is one of the most relevant Fremantle territories for outstanding creative output and business success. These results have been achieved mainly thanks to the extraordinary work carried out by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani who have created incredibly successful global TV dramas, movies and entertainment shows. This new structure is built around these unique talents to empower them even more and to support the potential and extraordinary creative talent of our Italian team as a whole.”
Effective 1 January 2020, The Apartment will be headed by Lorenzo Mieli as CEO; Wildside will be headed by Mario Gianani as CEO; Gabriele Immirzi will become CEO of Fremantle Italy, while Lorenzo Mieli will stay as President.
