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Fennessy Bros. step down, Peter Newman becomes Endemol Shine Aust. CEO

Updated: Big changes at the top of one of the country's largest production companies.

EndemolShine Australia Co-CEOs, Mark and Carl Fennessy, will step down from their roles leading one of Australia’s biggest production companies, following a recent global merger with Banijay.

Peter Newman, currently Chief Content Officer, becomes Chief Executive Officer.

EndemolShine Australia produces some of the nation’s biggest hits including MasterChef Australia, Married at First Sight, Lego Masters, Gogglebox, Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, Big Brother, amongst others.

The Fennessy brothers were founding CEOs of Shine Australia in 2009, stepping down after a takeover by Endemol, before swiftly resuming leadership of the new company.

Peter Newman joined Shine in 2012 as Creative Director, before taking up the CCO post in 2018.

He was previously Head of Production and Development at SBS and Head of Production and Development at WTFN. Across his career to date, he has developed, commissioned and produced a host of award-winning programmes, including Go Back to Where You Came From, MasterChef Australia, Australian Ninja Warrior, Australian Survivor, and Gogglebox.

Marco Bassetti Chief Executive Officer, Banijay said: “The Fennessy brothers have long-served as commendable businessmen at the forefront of the country’s creative industry and we wish them all the best with where their artistic journey takes them next. We now welcome Peter who is a commercially sound producer and entrepreneur and has all the attributes we look for in our leaders. Having been close to the business’ creative core and key in driving the success of the label’s most recent hits, he is an incredible asset to Banijay as we continue to evolve our creative vision and set our strategy in Australia.”

Peter Newman said: “It’s been amazing to work with Mark and Carl over the last eight years and it’s an honour to take up the reins of this impressive newly-combined company. EndemolShine Australia has always been about supporting and empowering the great people behind the world-class production of our shows. I’m incredibly proud of our workplace culture, our focus on creative excellence and will ensure we continue to do what we do best; working with our broadcast partners to deliver their audiences outstanding content. Banijay generates some of the world’s best TV formats and I can’t wait to bring them to life here in Australia.”

Mark and Carl Fennessy comment: “Ten years ago we commenced a journey with Elisabeth Murdoch to ‘Inspire, Create and Shine’. The period since has been like one long day filled with rewarding experiences and great success but the time has come for the next adventure. We’re grateful to the broadcasters for their support and we salute our incredible team of talented executives with whom we’ve had the privilege to lead. We look forward to a much-needed break and extend our best wishes to Banijay.”

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Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said, “In their decade at the helm, Mark and Carl have shaped the cultural narrative of our nation, overseeing the development and production of an array of acclaimed dramas and unscripted formats which Australian audiences tune into every night.

“From Masterchef Australia (Network 10), to Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds (ABC), Big Brother Australia (Seven Network), Lambs of God (Foxtel) and LEGO Masters Australia (Nine Network), the output of their vision and leadership stretches across all of our free-to-air networks and pay TV channels.

“Since establishing Shine Australia in January 2010, Mark and Carl have steered the business through a period of immense change and their productions continue to generate significant revenue for our industry and sustain thousands of jobs over a number of years.

“Mark and Carl are true industry visionaries and it has been a pleasure celebrating their successes on the local and global stage and at our SPA Awards. We wish them well as they take a well deserved break and look forward to working with newly appointed CEO Peter Newman and the entire team at Endemol Shine Australia as the business enters a new frontier as part of the Banijay Group.”

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