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Shine Group Australia founders and CEOs Mark and Carl Fennessy have been named joint heads of Endemol Shine Australia, it was announced Friday, despite declaring just six weeks ago they would step away from the company once the merger between Shine and Endemol Australia was completed.
According to the brothers, “Our pride in the local business coupled with a fierce loyalty toward our talented staff was always going to make departing difficult.”
“Since giving notice, we have continued to work through a transition, producing our current slate of shows and assisting with a succession plan. They say a week is a long time in television, so after further discussion and consideration, we’ve decided to accept the opportunity of managing the merged company. We’re genuinely excited about being part of the next chapter for a combined Australian business within Endemol Shine Group,” they said in a statement.
Said Sophie Turner Laing, CEO of Endemol Shine Group: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Mark and Carl have now decided to stay on to bring together and lead our Australian business, and it couldn’t feel more right. We look forward to great future success with them at the helm of Endemol Shine Australia whilst playing a key role internationally.”
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The Fennessy siblings have headed up Shine Australia since its launch in 2010, and Carl Fennessy spent two years as CEO of Shine America starting in 2011. Their decision means work will start immediately on the integration of the two production powerhouses. Endemol Australia CEO Janeen Faithfull announced in April that she will depart the merged company.
Shine is experiencing much success Down Under, with the 2015 edition of Masterchef Australia on Network Ten out-rating its rivals. Upcoming shows from Shine include the Peter Allen biopic Not the Boy Next Door, The Biggest Loser, The Voice, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, while Endemol is in production on Nine’s breakout hit Married at First Sight, the ABC drama The Beautiful Lie starring Sarah Snook and other shows.
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