Banijay’s Brainpool names managing director

German production firm Brainpool has hired Nadine Grünfeld as its managing director, marking a return to parent company Banijay after four years at ProSiebenSat.1 Group.

She will take up her role at the Banijay Germany-owned production firm in September and will focus on creating new entertainment brands, working alongside Brainpool’s management team led by Godehard Wolpers and Florian Göbels.

Grünfeld joins from ProSieben-backed Cheerio, which she founded in 2022.

The company has been behind remakes of The Floor and Most Wanted, with Grünfeld also responsible for the Cheerio’s first-look deal with John de Mol’s Talpa Studios.

Grünfeld previously worked at Banijay Germany from 2017 to 2022, holding roles including exec producer and exec director at forerunner EndemolShine Germany, where she was behind local versions of The Masked Singer, Lego Masters, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and the reboot of Beauty & The Nerd.

She started her career at Hamburg production company MME and then oversaw the first German version of I’m a Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here!.

Marcus Wolter, chief exec and co-founder of Banijay Germany, said: “In addition to strong entertainment and show expertise, Nadine brings a healthy dose of creative flair paired with passion and a true can-do mentality. I am delighted to be working with her and the two Managing Directors, Godehard Wolpers and Florian Göbels, to further expand Brainpool TV.”

Grünfeld added: “The last three and a half years have been wonderfully exciting and educational. Now I’m looking forward to working alongside Marcus, Florian, and Godehard to bring Brainpool forward with fresh momentum.”