Antenna Group has appointed Gerd Utecht its head of M&A and investments.
Utecht has extensive financial experience with investment and M&A transactions in the technology and media sectors and was most recently at Modern Times Group (MTG), which he joined from Veronis Suhler Stevenson in 2010.
Last year he oversaw MTG’s acquisition of a controlling stake in the European multi-channel network Zoomin.TV. At Antenna Group, Utecht will have oversight of all M&A, investment and partnership transactions.
Commenting on Utecht’s appointment, Pete Smith, MD of Antenna Group, said: “Gerd Utecht’s investment insights will help us tremendously to execute our ambitious growth strategy.
“He’s the perfect addition as we’re building a world-class management team.”
Utecht added: “Antenna Group has a fantastic track record and is in a great position to capitalise on the dramatic changes in the media and entertainment sector.
“Its portfolio of hugely successful media assets including fast-growing digital businesses as well as partnerships and investments in companies such as Vice and Imagine Entertainment give Antenna Group a great platform for future growth.”
Pete Smith, formerly the president of NBCUniversal International, has been MD of Antenna Group for two years. The company now also lists Darren Childs, CEO OF UKTV, as a member of its advisory board.
Antenna Group, which is privately owned by the Kyriakou family, has a strong presence in South East Europe and recently entered the Romanian market with the acquisition of Kiss TV, Kiss FM, Magic FM, One FM and Rock FM from ProSiebenSat.1.
