Media veteran Maria Kyriacou has been confirmed as the new Chairwoman of the supervisory board of German broadcasting group ProSiebenSat.1.
Kyriacou was put forward for election to the company’s supervisory board at the AGM on May 28. She was elected with an approval rate of more than 98%.
She succeeds Dr. Andreas Wiele, who had previously announced that he would not stand for re-election after serving a three-year term.
Kyriacou has held senior leadership roles at Paramount Global, ITV Studios, and The Walt Disney Company. At Paramount, she oversaw international broadcast and studios operations outside the US, and she oversaw ITV’s production and distribution division ITV Studios.
Her appointment comes amid a takeover battle for ProSiebenSat.1 launched last month by shareholder MFE-MediaForEurope (MFE), the TV group controlled by Italy’s Berlusconi family.
Former chair Wiele has consistently criticised MFE's approach and supported ProSieben's strategy to remain independent.
Kyriacou said: "I sincerely thank our shareholders for their great trust! Working closely with the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board, my ambition is to accelerate our transformation journey, provide fresh momentum, and contribute the perspective I've gained through my international career. The company has a clear strategy, with a strong focus on its core business, entertainment, putting Joyn at the centre of this strategy. ProSiebenSat.1 can inspire, inform, as well as entertain – and I am excited to help seize these opportunities together."
Bert Habets, Chairman of the Executive Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, said: " I am very much looking forward to working with Maria Kyriacou. She brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience in the global media industry, with deep expertise in strategy, operations, and finance. With her drive and extensive expertise, she will be an excellent addition to the Supervisory Board and a strong support in its work."
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