EXCLUSIVE: Fremantle‘s German sales chief, Maximilian Bolenius, is leaving the Got Talent maker after 14 years.
Bolenius, Fremantle’s Senior Vice President for German-speaking Europe and Israel, has let clients know he is exiting in an email today, we understand. Fremantle confirmed the departure to Deadline in a statement.
“Max Bolenius has decided to leave Fremantle after nearly 15 years in the company,” said Jamie Lynn, Fremantle’s EVP Co-Production & Distribution EMEA. “Throughout his tenure Max has been a valued member of our distribution team, forging countless great relationships with his colleagues and clients. We thank him for his many contributions whilst working for Fremantle and sincerely wish him all the best for his future endeavours.”
We understand Lynn’s team will assimilate Bolenius’ duties for the time being, as a succession plan is worked out. Jens Richter is CEO of International and Commercial at the unit, which sells the likes of Got Talent, Idol, The Responder, Death in Paradise and Normal People. In the past year, it has also been selling the likes of Alice & Jack, House of Kardashian and White Lies. Nightsleeper, whose producer Euston Film has just seen its staff exit as we revealed earlierthismorninginEurope, launches next week on the BBC.
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Bolenius joined Fremantle as VP of Sales and was later promoted to SVP level. He is well known for overseeing the super-indie’s sales division in German-speaking territories and has managed its German office for several years. He has led teams in London and Berlin, with duties including distribution, co-financing, co-productions and assessing content’s international sales potential.
He began his career at German network SWR in 2003 and then joined United Visions TV & Film Productions before moving on to ZDF Enterprises (now ZDF Studios) in 2005, where he rose to a Director of Sales position.
Fremantle, whose parent RTL is based in Luxembourg, remains a player in German production, with historical indie UFA among the country’s top suppliers to networks and streamers. UFA has drama, serial drama, docs and factual subsidiaries. RTL is among the biggest commercial networks in Germany, competing with the likes ProSieben and pubcaster ZDF in the linear world. It also operates streamer RTL+, whose subscriber base has been growing solidly over recent years.
Bolenius’ exit comes six weeks before MIPCOM Cannes, where the world’s top distributors will showcase their latest wares.