Greece - H 2015
AP ImagesAntenna Television, the Greek broadcaster owned by international media company Antenna Group, has named George Pofantis to the newly created position of chief content officer as it looks to expand its original content and international co-productions.
Reporting to the company’s COO Johny Kalimeris, Pofantis is charged with “sourcing, developing and commissioning original scripted and entertainment content for Antenna Group’s linear TV channels and digital platforms in Greece,” the company said. He also will be developing “special projects with a particular focus on high-end scripted international co-productions and local scripted dramas.”
And he will be responsible for “creating a streamlined and coordinated approach to the creation of Antenna’s digital content and cross-platform properties,” which include web TV platform Netwix.
Antenna Group, privately owned by the Kyriakou family, operates across Europe, with a focus on South Eastern Europe, as well as in North America and Australia. It is a key partner for Vice Media and also has teamed with Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global.
“The appointment of George Pofantis further cements our commitment to and investment in original digital content and brands,” said Antenna Group Managing Director Pete Smith. “We are leading the way in developing innovative and successful digital operations in Greece and as we look to further grow these brands, we will be investing in more original digital content. George will also be focused on building our slate of scripted content and international co-productions as we look to take advantage of the growing global appetite for foreign-language drama.”
Pofantis returns to Antenna from Greek broadcaster Alpha TV where he was program director responsible for developing local scripted content and entertainment shows. He was also founder and managing partner of digital start-up ComedyLab, a digital MCN for young Greeks featuring comedy, lifestyle and entertainment content.
“Antenna has always paved the way in the region in terms of digital innovation and ratings-winning original content,” said Pofantis. “I am looking forward to developing our slate of original content for digital platforms as well as realizing Antenna’s growing ambitions to create high-end scripted content with local and international broadcasters.”
