Banijay Entertainment Appoints Laurens Drillich CEO of New Latin America Regional Division
Banijay Entertainment has appointed Laurens Drillich as Chief Executive Officer of Banijay Latin America, a newly formed division that unites the group’s operations across Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and the US Hispanic market. Based in Miami, Drillich reports to group CEO Marco Bassetti.
He takes charge of one of the region’s largest content and production ecosystems, bringing several of the group’s national businesses under a single regional structure.
Why dedicated regional leadership matters to Banijay now
Bringing several national operations under one division is a deliberate signal. Rather than running Mexico, Brazil and Colombia separately, Banijay is placing them under a single CEO with a single strategy.
The group has framed dedicated regional leadership as an ongoing priority as it expands worldwide. For a market as closely watched as Latin America, the structure of who controls what is worth noting.
What the new Banijay Latin America division brings together
The division unites a broad set of businesses. These include entertainment group Endemol Shine Boomdog in Mexico and its Banijay Colombia operation, scripted studio A Fábrica across Brazil, Mexico and the US Hispanic market, and São Paulo-based Endemol Shine Brasil.
It also houses post-production company Wide Angle and Banijay Estúdios, described in the release as the largest studio complex in the region.
The franchise list is substantial. The division powers La Casa de los Famosos, MasterChef, All Together Now, Love is Blind Brasil, Physical 100 Mexico and LOL: Last One Laughing, and controls the Big Brother Brazil licence. On the scripted side it is behind Desperate Lies and Como Agua Para Chocolate, alongside theatrical releases and the live experience Luminiscence.
Why Laurens Drillich was chosen to lead the region
The choice points to continuity. Drillich has served as President of Endemol Shine Latino since 2016 and has worked to expand the group’s Spanish and Portuguese-language operations, so this is a promotion of someone already embedded in the region.
His earlier roles include CEO of Endemol Shine Netherlands and Chairman and CEO of broadcaster BNN. He is also an Emmy award-winning producer and director.
What Banijay’s leadership said
Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay Entertainment, said:
“As we continue to strengthen our footprint around the world, having dedicated regional leadership remains a priority. In concentrating our operations across Latin America, we are looking to maintain the region’s ongoing success and growth, while maximising value across our entertainment platform in content, live, digital and sport. Having played an instrumental role in the region for more than a decade, we believe Laurens is perfectly placed to lead this ambitious next phase.”
Laurens Drillich, CEO, Banijay Latin America, said:
“We have already built an exceptional portfolio of talent and activities in Latin America, but fortunately there are still many more opportunities to be explored, as we look to continue evolving and shaping the future of entertainment across these beautiful countries. I could not be happier to be leading the strategy and supporting our efforts in bringing more amazing shows to screen that further elevate the Banijay brand on the world stage.”
How the Latin America and Banijay America businesses stay connected
The appointment keeps a clear line between the group’s US and Latin American operations. Ben Samek continues to serve as a board member and consultant to the Latin America group, while shifting his primary focus to Banijay America and its US-focused activities and growth.
That arrangement leaves Drillich accountable for the full regional footprint while senior oversight is retained across both sides of the group’s Americas business.
Source: Banijay Entertainment
