Will Keenan Headshot - H 2013
Courtesy of Endemol North AmericaWill Keenan is stepping down as president of Endemol Beyond USA, the digital arm of Endemol Shine North America, and chief operating officer Adrian Sexton is assuming the role of interim president in Keenan’s stead.
Sexton, who previously led digital at Participant Media and Lionsgate, joined Endemol in September last year to oversee strategic partnerships, business development, strategy, sales and distribution. His LinkedIn also lists him as chief digital officer of advisory firm New Medici, which he founded in 2008.
“Adrian has a wealth of experience, having already led some of the top digital studios in our industry, and he’s done a terrific job as our COO since joining Endemol Beyond USA last fall,” said Vivi Zigler, president of digital, brand and audience development at Endemol Shine.
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Endemol hired Keenan, a former executive at Maker Studios, two years ago to launch Endemol Beyond. Under his leadership, the digital network signed YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan. “Clearly we are going to miss Will, and we truly appreciate everything that he has done to successfully launch Endemol Beyond here in the U.S.,” Zigler said.
Keenan added: “These last two years as president of Endemol Beyond USA have been monumental for me. I’m extremely proud to have spearheaded the creation of, and laid the foundation for, one of the fastest-growing and most award-winning digital networks in North America … I’m incredibly pleased with the team I assembled, honored to have worked with some of the best people in our industry and very excited to soon announce my next adventure.”
The company also announced that Rico Martinez, a television producer who previously worked at Maker, has renewed his contract with Endemol and has been named senior vp creative at Endemol Beyond. Leslie Morgan, who leads all lifestyle programming and oversaw the launch of Phan’s ICON Network earlier this year, has been named vp programming for Endemol Beyond.
