EXCLUSIVE: More change at Fremantle with veteran unscripted sales boss Angela Neillis exiting after more than a decade.
Her departure follows a Fremantle review of the global docs and non-scripted businesses, we are told, and the two will be brought closer together under Jens Richter, the CEO of Commercial and International. New global docs chief Mark Reynolds will also support the non-scripted team within Fremantle’s sales arm.
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Neillis has been with Fremantle for more than a decade as SVP, Non-Scripted Content, running unscripted sales in London and LA. Having joined from then-Sky Vision in late 2013, she oversaw juggernauts such as X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, along with doc series including Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne and Expedition with Steve Backshall. Last year, she worked across a Ukrainian documentary series spotlighting stories of Got Talent contestants in the nation, which featured Simon Cowell. She also managed relationships with the likes of Jamie Oliver, Arrow Media and 72 Films.
Richter said she has been a “crucial part of Fremantle’s growth into the factual and documentary space.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her contribution to the business and all her achievements,” he added.
Neillis said: “After more than a decade it is now time to move on and start a new adventure. It has been an absolute pleasure working with some of the best producers in the world, developing and promoting a documentary and factual business within Fremantle and making Fremantle the production company to watch. I’m incredibly proud of our team and everything we have achieved.”
Neillis’ exit comes amid a flurry of hiring, promotion and firing announcements at RTL-owned Fremantle.
Earlier today, the Element Pictures and Lux Vide owner revealed it had brought in Nicola Maccanico, the ex-CEO of iconic Italian studio Cinecittà, to run its Italian division, while promoting France boss Bruno Fallot to oversee France, Spain, Portugal and Israel. Yesterday, it said it would be combining its U.S. and European scripted operations under Christian Vesper, with Dante Di Loreto shifting to a producer deal. These moves preceded Deadline revealing that Fremantle was laying off all staff at Nightsleeper producer Euston Films and Mandy Chang’s Undeniable, with the likes of Chang and Kate Harwood exiting. Reynolds had replaced Chang as Global Head of Documentaries several months back.