Movies, factual and kids chief latest to exit Viaplay

Nicholas Hadley-Kamptz is the latest senior exec to exit the Viaplay Group, with the head of movies, factual and kids exiting the Nordic firm as part of its widespread restructure.

Hadley-Kamptz was only recently promoted into the role in January 2023, in which he oversaw the content strategy for movies, documentaries and kids’ content – including originals such as Karma & Jonar – for Viaplay in the Nordics, across SVOD, TVOD and pay-TV.

He originally joined the group in September 2021 as head of expansion programming, leading the team responsible for all content strategy, planning and acquisition for all of Viaplay’s international expansion.

“After two exhilarating, fabulous, and ultimately very developing years, my journey at Viaplay comes to a close after the recent significant restructure, and I am now available and #OpenToWork,” revealed Hadley-Kamptz on social media.

Prior to Viaplay Group, Hadley-Kamptz spent almost five years as a content strategist at Swedish broadcaster TV4 and has also held roles at companies including Home Plate Productions, IMG Media, ESPN and a near-decade at Turner Broadcasting.

Hadley-Kamptz’s exit comes amid financial turmoil for the group, which implemented a restructuring plan that involves withdrawal from key international markets and a 25% reduction in staff. This followed the exit of CEO Anders Jensen in June, and his replacement by Jorgen Madsen Lindemann.

Filippa Wallestam, the former chief content officer, who was promoted to chief commerical officer for the Nordics in May, is among those who have also departed the firm, as it faces the joint impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, the deterioration of the advertising market and increased churn following price increases.

The value of the company’s shares plummeted by about 85% in recent weeks, with Canal+ and Czech investment outfit PPF Group among those taking stakes in the beleaguered company as it attempts to right the ship.