FRAPA´s present Chairman, David Lyle, is stepping down from the position. The new Chairman is to be Ute Biernat who has previously held the position of FRAPA Board member.
At the same, time three new senior Board Members have been appointed: Mike Beale, Deputy Managing Director, 12 Yard Productions, Jacob Houlind, General Manager, Nordisk Film and Chris Grant, SVP International Distribution & Creative Affairs, Reveille.
David Lyle, COO and GM Fox Reality based in LA said “After six years from foundation to now I think it is time for someone new at the helm of the association. Now, more than ever, with the digital exploitation of formats, the rights need extra protection and I think Ute has the energy and dedication to lead FRAPA to new levels of involvement”.
Ute Biernat, CEO Grundy Light Entertainment GmbH, said "There is no worldwide copyright law everybody can rely on. Therefore FRAPA has become a vital association to register and protect formats around the world. I believe that we can achieve even more to support the format business and prepare it for the challenges of the future."
The new board members, Grant, Houlind and Beal will join the present board consisting of Michel Rodrigue CEO & President, Distraction Formats, Paul Gilbert, VP International Program Development & Format Sales, Sony Pictures Television International, Alison Rayson, CEO Target Entertainment, Robert Chua, CEO, Robert Chua Production House Company, Virginia Mousler CEO, The Wit and Roland Willaert, Producer.
The new, expanded board met for the first time at MIPCOM in Cannes on Wednesday October 11th.