FremantleMedia announced that VP Commercial and Business Affairs Bart Jan Gorissen is to expand his remit to become Commercial Director, Central and Eastern Europe. He will retain his role as VP Commercial and Business Affairs.

Reporting directly to Daniela Matei, CEO of Nordics, Central Eastern European and Baltics (NOREEBA), Gorissen’s new role will see him will work with the Heads of Format Sales in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as the MDs of FremantleMedia Croatia and Poland in order to grow revenues from the ancillary exploitation of FremantleMedia’s brands in these markets. He will advise the team on external partnerships ranging from broadcasters and production companies, brand agencies, sponsors and digital partners.

Commenting on the appointment, Daniela Matei said: “Bart Jan has worked closely with my team for many years now and more than once, his commercial advice has helped us take advantage of opportunities available in the constantly developing CEE market. His input has proven the need for our first ever Commercial Director, so I’m delighted that we can now make this appointment official. His legal background will be invaluable as a partner and advisor, in both commercial and legal decisions and strategies.”

Gorissen added: “Having worked with Daniela and her team for quite some years, I am looking forward to working with our regional teams and our business partners to increase ancillary activities. In particular branded and digital content is a key growth area and I will actively engage in maximizing brand and digital engagement in our formats in the region.”

Before joining the London offices of FremantleMedia in 2007, Gorissen was senior legal counsel at Endemol International’s headquarters in the Netherlands and a solicitor in private practice. He holds a post-graduate Masters of Law (LL.M) degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia.