Banijay Americas Hires Joe Kaiser As CFO – Former Disney & Condé Nast Exec Replaces Paul Jennings Who Retires After 12 Years

EXCLUSIVE: Joe Kaiser is the new CFO of Banijay Americas. He replaces Paul Jennings who is retiring after 12 years in post.

The new recruit reports to Ben Samek, CEO, Banijay Americas. Recent moves by the Americas division of the production and distribution giant include partnering with former Disney+ unscripted executive Daniel Silver to launch a documentary label, BD4.

It now has a new CFO. Kaiser joins from Condé Nast where he was across the financial performance for more than 20 of the firm’s brands. Before that he was at the Walt Disney Company in a 15-years stint, helping to launch Disney+.

“He has steered the financial operations of complex enterprises like ours, and he will be instrumental in the success of our entire company, helping to drive the growth for each of our labels and ensuring the operational efficiency of our holdings,” said Samek.

Kaiser said that “with 10 labels delivering top content across various territories and languages, the Americas are a global leader positioned for continued growth in ever-evolving markets. I look forward to working with Ben and our label leaders to maximize their profits, as we continue to leverage new opportunities for investment and expansion.”

Banijay Americas encompasses labels including Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Authentic Entertainment, Truly Original, and 51 Minds Entertainment as well as production outfits in Brazil and Mexico.

Samek paid tribute to outgoing CFO, Jennings, who joined the company as CFO of Endemol Shine USA in 2012. “I’d also like to extend my deepest gratitude to Paul Jennings for his invaluable contributions to Banijay Americas and for his friendship over many years. Together, we shaped a financial framework that was crucial in supporting our expansion, driving the company’s evolution as a global leader.”

Jennings expanded his oversite to Banijay companies in the U.S. and Latin America following Banijay’s acquisition of Endemol Shine in 2020. The retiring exec will consult with Kaiser and Banijay Americas through to Dec.