FremantleMedia, the production subsidiary of RTL Group, has appointed Nico Hofmann as Co-CEO of its German production arm UFA Group with immediate effect.
Reporting to Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia, Hofmann will head Germany’s largest production company alongside current CEO Wolf Bauer. The move is part of a two year transition period which will see Hofmann, currently head of UFA Fiction, take over as sole CEO in September 2017 allowing Bauer to step back to focus on producing.
The two will share overall management responsibilities with dedicated responsibilities for certain operations and units. They will have joint responsibility for the holding company and will both play a key role within the FremantleMedia global network working closely with the global production, licensing and sales operations.
“Nico is one of Europe’s most successful and respected drama producers with fantastic leadership skills and strong relationships in the German market,” said Frot-Coutaz, adding that he is perfectly placed to take up the CEO position to lead UFA into a new era. “I’d like to thank Wolf for his continued commitment to the company and I’m really pleased that he will continue his long association with UFA when he embarks on the next phase of his career.”
Wolf Bauer said: “The time is right for me to begin the process of co-heading UFA and to prepare for handing over reins at UFA. Nico is an exceptionally talented producer and under his leadership teamWorx/UFA Fiction has become the European market leader in drama event TV. I can’t think of anyone better to hand over the baton to and I’m really excited to be working with him during this transition period.”
Nico Hofmann added: “I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity to co-lead UFA with one of the most experienced and highly regarded executives in the business. I feel honoured to join Wolf as Co-CEO having enjoyed a long standing working relationship with him. I’m really excited about what we will achieve together in the future.”
