Award-winning producer/director Sheldon Lazarus, formerly of Planet
24 and BSkyB, has joined Fox Kids Europe N.V. (FKE) as head of FKE's
newly created pan-European special programming department. This new
department, the first of its kind for FKE, will centralize
development of entertainment programming for FKE's European network
of channels. As head of special programming, Lazarus will oversee a
team of three and will develop global concepts, targeting local
tastes and needs within each territory, using content ranging from
music, film, TV and video to games and fashion. Lazarus joins FKE
from television production company Planet 24, where he headed the
entertainment department. Prior to this, he worked for BSkyB from
1997-2001 in various capacities, including documentary producer,
series producer and director. Benoit Runel, executive director of
FKE's programming and acquisitions said, "The establishment of this
new department marks a significant turning point in the expansion of
FKE's pan-European operations, and we could not wish for a better
candidate than Sheldon to head this exciting new enterprise. He has a
well-established reputation for devising and making original
programming, including award-winning documentaries, and his track
record demonstrates his creative talents and his organizational
skills -- qualities that are vital for this pan-European role." The
special programming department will be based at FKE's London offices
and Lazarus will report directly to Benoit Runel.