TV France International appoints new president

Hervé Michel

France Télévisions executive Hervé Michel has been elected president of TV France International and will take the helm at the French distributors industry group from early next year.

He replaces Laetitia Recayte, the former head of distribution at Newen, the production group controversially being bought by TF1. She resigned at TVFI president after leaving Newen for a commercial role at France Télévisions. She had replaced Xavier Gouyou-Beauchamps as president earlier this year.

Michel is one of the founders of TVFI and takes over as president on January 4. The TVFI board elected him to the role of president earlier this week.

At French public broadcaster France Télévisions Michel is director of international affairs, a role he has held since 2012.

Prior to that he created the commercial arm of the French broadcaster, France Télévisions Distribution, running the sales division between 1992 and 2007. He has also been in commercial roles at French production company Télé-Images and at Disney’s production division.

“As a founding member of TV France International, I am particularly proud to be chosen by the Board as the new President of the association. I am delighted to bring to French TV program exporters the international experience gained at independent producers and at such a prestigious broadcaster as France Televisions,” Michel said.

TVFI represents French content owners in international markets, organising delegations and stands at industry events. It also organises and hosts the long-running Rendez-Vous market, which is now held in Biarritz.