*Update: FremantleMedia executives from head office have reportedly been in Sydney this week to finalise a replacement for departing CEO Ian Hogg.
While Mediaweek sources indicated the hot favourite to replace Hogg was Endemol Shine International’s Cathy Payne, this is not the case.
There is expected to be a shakeup in the production sector globally this year with Endemol Shine to become part of The Walt Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox and all the major players are trying to secure the best talent.
Other names mentioned to Mediaweek who were possible candidates to run FremantleMedia Australia included Jungle MD Courtney Gibson, FMA internal candidate Paul Ridley, Nine executive Adrian Swift, former Seven executive Brad Lyons, Endemol Shine’s Peter Newman and former Nine executive Andrew Backwell.
It is expected an announcement of Hogg’s replacement could be made within days.