Target Ent. CEO Steps Down

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgPress Release from Target Entertainment

London: Leading rights management company Target Entertainment is today announcing a key change to its management team as founder Alison Rayson steps down from her position as CEO and hires a new Managing Director, Emmanuelle Namiech.

Rayson has taken the decision to leave the company after 13 years to explore new ventures, but leaves the company in a strong position following the sale last year to Metrodome Group. She has worked closely with Metrodome’s Chairman and CEO Mark Webster to bring in a Managing Director with the skills and experience to continue Target’s growth both in the UK and internationally.

Emmanuelle Namiech joins Target in November with a wealth of experience and track record in international rights management. Most recently she was Senior VP Global Content at Fremantle Media Enterprises and prior to that was Director of Acquisitions and Co-productions at ITV Global Entertainment. Previous positions have included Director of Acquisitions and Co-productions at Granada International and Territory and Co-production Manager at Carlton International.

In her new role, Namiech will work with Mark Webster and the management team at Target to expand the company’s core business of international rights management.

Commenting on her decision to leave Target, Alison Rayson says: “It has been an incredibly tough decision to make, but also a positive and amicable decision. I am proud of how far Target has come since I founded it 13 years ago, but now feel ready to explore new opportunities in my professional life. I’m happy leaving the company in a strong commercial position and in the hands of an incredibly capable new MD.”

Rayson will continue to work on specific projects with the company but has no further announcements to make on future plans at this stage.

Mark Webster Chairman and CEO of Metrodome Group PLC commented said: “Alison not only founded the company but has built it up over 13 successful years and after Metrodome Group plc took over Target in 2010, Alison has continued to show energy, initiative and commitment to her and our business. She will be missed greatly by us, but we appreciate that the time is right for her to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere. We are delighted to welcome an MD of Emmanuelle’s calibre to Target and look forward to working with her to further expand the company. Emmanuelle will be taking over the day to day running of the business on Alison’s departure and there will be handover with the business continuing as normal going forward.”

Emmanuelle Namiech added: “Target is an exciting company at a key stage of its evolution and I am thrilled to be working with Mark and the team to expand the business further. With support from Metrodome Group we plan to have an enviable portfolio of properties with worldwide appeal.”

Since its inception in 1998 as an independent distributor, Target Entertainment has grown into one of Europe’s most successful rights management businesses. Target’s enviable catalogue of rights features approximately 4,000 hours of vibrant, quality programming across drama, comedy, entertainment, factual and kids programming.

With a proven track record representing key independent producers, Target’s multi-lingual, territory specific and target-driven distribution department’s first-rate knowledge of the international TV landscape brings with it an enviable competitive advantage.

A pioneering and dynamic company, Target also has a licensing department and home entertainment division to maximise commercial returns for all parties and build global brands.

In August 2010, Target was acquired by The Metrodome Group.

More about Metrodome Group PLC:
Metrodome Group PLC is an AIM-listed holding company which owns Metrodome Distribution, Target Entertainment and Hollywood Classics.

Metrodome Group PLC is actively looking at further merger and acquisition deals, and plans to offer producers and rights owners a one-stop shop for international exploitation of their product, whilst continuing to expand its own production ambitions.

Metrodome Distribution is one of the leading independent film distributors in the UK, acquiring films and other product for exploitation in cinemas, on DVD & VOD, and via broadcast. Metrodome Distribution is also active in co-production, with its first two feature films successfully released in 2011.

Target Entertainment is a leading international rights management business, representing producers and content owners across different genres and across all media and non-broadcast platforms.  Clients include Living TV Group, MTV, BBC, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Chapman Entertainment.

Hollywood Classics is an international sales agency that represents the classic film libraries of Universal, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros. and the independent sector. It also distributes a growing number of studio classic films for the DVD market as well as a total library of over 700 films for television, DVD and VOD.

Metrodome Distribution, Target Entertainment and Hollywood Classics, wholly owned subsidiaries of Metrodome Group PLC, boast combined