AMSTERDAM: FL Entertainment, a global entertainment leader, has announced the creation of Banijay Events, a live events offering that will leverage its expertise and success in content production and distribution.

The new offering will be led by François de Brugada, who will step down as CEO of Banijay France, the country’s undisputed production leader.

Banijay Events will capitalise on FL Entertainment’s recent investments in The Independents and Balich Wonder Studio, as well as its existing entertainment assets, to become a global leader in the production of live events. The company said the live events industry has significant growth potential and a business model very similar to that of content production and distribution, on which Banijay was built. Banijay reached €3.2bn in revenues for 2022, proving the strength of its long-term creative strategy and approach.

Brugada has been a key player in Banijay’s journey since its inception in 2008, helping the organisation expand internationally and develop its worldwide brand. He has also built an ecosystem of the best talents, labels and IP in France, delivering almost 3,000 hours of diverse, premium content each year. He will be tasked with growing Banijay Events, developing synergies with the rest of the group, and identifying additional companies to build its dedicated portfolio.

François Riahi, CEO of FL Entertainment, said: “The live events business has rapidly soared post-Covid and given our already-established entertainment assets, it represents a perfect addition to our Group and to our strategy to become an integrated global entertainment leader.”

Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay, said: “Diversifying our content capabilities beyond the screen marks a real gear shift for the group. Banijay Events launches with a solid base thanks to the recently announced investments, and from here, there are so many opportunities for further collaboration and onward global growth.”

François de Brugada, CEO of Banijay France, said: “Joining FLE to lead Banijay Events, is for me like going back to the early years of Banijay; but this time with two major players behind me. I look forward to building this new business and creating unforgettable experiences for our clients.”

Banijay to build Media & Entertainment Powerhouse with Balich Wonder Studio