Authentic Entertainment is losing longtime executive and co-founder Lauren Lexton.
The CEO, a trailblazer in reality TV programming, is set to depart after a 18-year tenure with the production company, which is now a division of Endemol Shine North America. Stepping in for Lexton will be Helga Eike. The company’s former head of development, who departed in 2016 to launch Red Bandit Media, returns as president.
“Helga helped build Authentic, so it’s perfect that she will now run it.” Lexton said Tuesday in a statement. “She’s one of the smartest people I know and I’m excited to see her take Authentic to new heights. I can’t imagine a better story to tell than this one. I’m also thrilled that Authentic will continue to be a female-led company.”
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Authentic most recently launched TLC’s successful reboot of Trading Spaces. Its reality roots go deep, as the company is responsible for such memorable (and, sometimes, infamous) hits as Toddlers & Tiaras, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Flipping Out and Ace of Cakes.
“Lauren has developed and produced some of the most iconic unscripted series of the last two decades and helped build Authentic Entertainment into one of the leading production companies in our industry,” said Endemol Shine North America CEO Cris Abrego. “We are all truly thankful for her many contributions. And while we say a fond farewell to Lauren, we are happy to welcome Helga back to the studio that she helped lead to tremendous success, developing many of Authentic’s top series during her previous tenure.”
Authentic has been part of Endemol Shine since its acquisition in 2010. Lexton and Tom Rogan co-founded the company in 2000, at the dawn of TV’s reality boom, and Lexton assumed sole CEO duties upon Rogan’s exit in 2015.
Said Eike of her return: “Authentic was my first home. I love the brand and I am beyond thrilled to return to the fold. Lauren has been a mentor to me and I am honored to take over the leadership role she has shined in over the last 18 years. Authentic is one of the originals, a production company that has withstood the test of time, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue and guide it into its third decade.”
