FremantleMedia, Producers of 'American Idol' and 'X Factor', Names New North American CEO

FremantleMedia, whose production slate includes American Idol, The X Factor and America's Got Talent, has announced the Sept. 1 appointment of Thom Beers as chief executive officer, FremantleMedia North America. Beers is currently CEO and ep at Fremantle-owned Original Productions. He will be based in Los Angeles and report to Cecile Frot-Coutaz, who was announced as CEO of the London-based company in April.

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In his new position, Beers will oversee some 600 hours of programming -- network, cable and syndicated -- and supervise an executive team that included COO Donna Redier Linsk, and Trish Kinane, president of entertainment programming. The Emmy-winning Beers, via Original Productions, has created a string of hit shows including Deadliest Catch, Monster Garage, Storage Wars and Ice Road Truckers. In February 2009, FremantleMedia acquired a 75 percent stake in Original. Prior to founding Original in 1997, Beers was a production executive at Turner Broadcasting for 11 years. 

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Said Beers in a statement announcing the appointment: "[Fremantle's] productions and the teams behind them are amongst the most innovative and creative in the industry, and I am thrilled by the opportunity to lead the company."

Other FremantleMedia programs include The Price is Right, Family Feud and Farmer Wants A Wife.

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