Marco Giordani replaces Bert Habets in top job following MediaForEurope takeover

Marco Giordani_ProSiebenSat1 Media SE-1

Marco Giordani

Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 has unveiled its CEO, CFO and COO are departing the company, less than two months after MediaForEurope secured a majority stake in the media giant.

Bert Habets is stepping down as chief exec and is being replaced by Marco Giordani, who was most recently finance chief at MediaForEurope.

Bert Habets

Bert Habets

Giordani takes up the top job immediately with Habets working with him as a senior advisor to assist with the transition, until exiting at the end of the year.

Other changes will see Bob Rajan joining as CFO with immediate effect, succeeding Martin Mildner, who will leave the company.

Rajan takes on the position on an interim basis, primarily “to drive forward the reorganisation process and to enhance the company’s profitability”, the company said.

Markus Breitenecker, a 30-year veteran of the company and most recently COO of ProSiebenSat.1, is also leaving with immediate effect and will not be replaced.

The overhaul comes after MediaForEurope became the continent’s largest free-to-air broadcaster after securing a stake of more than 75% in ProSiebenSat.1 in September.

That followed a years-long chase for the German giant – owner of numerous channels including flagship ProSiebenSat.1, streamer Joyn and Married at First Sight producer Seven.One Studios – by the Berlusconi family-backed MFE.

Maria Kyriacou, chairwoman of the supervisory board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media, said Giordani’s appointment “reflects the ambition to further accelerate the strategic transformation with a clear focus on excellence and a leading market position in entertainment.”

Former ITV Studios exec Kyriacou added that Rajan’s “experience in transformation and restructuring will be instrumental in enabling ProSiebenSat.1 to fully focus on growth in the future.”

She also thanked Habets and his team for their efforts during what she termed as a “decisive transformative period” for the Germany firm.

Giordani has been CFO of MFE since 2000, while Rajan was most recently managing director at Alvarez & Marsal.