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Ben Samek is the Chief Executive Officer for Banijay Americas, the holding company that is home to multiple award-winning independent production studios that produce over 100+ series and 1600+ hours of content across the United States, Central America, and South America. Through strategic M&A investments and leadership across the region, Samek has helped solidify Banijay's position as a global leader in entertainment programming by guiding the creation of formats and content that captivate local audiences and travel globally.
Samek, who thrives at the intersection of creativity and commerce, manages the dynamic and diversified portfolio of companies that includes Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Authentic Entertainment, Stephen David Entertainment, Endemol Shine Boomdog, Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, Endemol Shine Brasil, and A Fábrica. He cultivates an atmosphere of collaboration, ensuring each of the ten bespoke production studios that comprise Banijay Americas brings its unique strengths, brands, and IP to the table.
Before being appointed as Banijay Americas CEO in 2023, Samek served as its President and Chief Operating Officer. During that time, he was instrumental in acquiring Brasil-based studio A Fábrica and constructing Banijay Studios Brasil. This nearly 750,000-square-foot production facility services Banijay productions and third-party TV and film clients, making it the largest independent production facility in Latin America.
Samek began his award-winning career in television serving in a variety of production roles where he helped grow and expand the nascent unscripted industry, working at genre-defining companies like MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions, producing hundreds of hours of content, including time as a producer with The Amazing Race, during which he received his first Emmy Award.
Samek first joined what is now 51 Minds Entertainment after being recruited by the studio's co-founders to executive produce series and manage operations as the company's Chief Operating Officer. Over the next decade, he helped grow 51 Minds from its boutique beginnings into an industry heavyweight, producing over $100 million a year in content by the time it was sold to Endemol USA. Samek stayed on after the sale and was part of the team that executed the subsequent joint venture that became Endemol Shine, serving as Chief Operating Officer of Endemol Shine North America and adding the role of president a few years later.
