Eurosport Group Promotes New Ceo
Pan-European broadcaster Eurosport has revealed a new leadership structure, with a reshuffle of its senior management resulting in Jean-Thierry Augustin promoted to CEO of Eurosport Group and Philippe Denery appointed as non-executive chairman.
The move follows last week’s announcement that Laurent-Eric Le Lay had stepped down as chairman and CEO of Eurosport to become chief executive of TF1 Publicité, the advertising sales division of French commercial broadcaster TF1.
French media firm TF1 Group, which owns Eurosport, said the move was part of its ambition to enable Eurosport to continue developing, particularly as part of the partnership agreements signed with Discovery Communications.
In December, Discovery reached an agreement to acquire a 20% stake in Eurosport for €170 million, with the option of increasing its interest to 51% in two years’ time. TF1 would then have the option of selling its remaining 49% stake in Eurosport to Discovery.
Commenting on the promotion, Augustin said: ‘I’m delighted and proud to step in to the leadership role Laurent-Eric Le Lay has handed to me. We have enjoyed a successful working relationship for the past 12 years and I wish Laurent-Eric every success in his new role at TF1 Publicité.’
‘I will carry on with our development strategy to become the strongest sports media brand in Europe, strengthening our position in TV and in digital amongst others; even more so today within the context of our new partnership with Discovery.’
