Luxembourg, December 4, 2006 – SBS Broadcasting Sarl announced today the appointment of Bart Becks (34) as Senior Vice President New Media of SBS Broadcasting Group, with a start date of January 1, 2007. The announcement was made by Patrick Tillieux, acting Chief Executive Officer of SBS Broadcasting Group.
In the newly created position, Mr. Becks will be responsible for the overall development and coordination of digital media services and revenue streams based on the internet, mobile devices, interactive television services and other emerging digital platforms across all of SBS’s operating units. He will be based in Amsterdam.
In making the announcement, Mr. Tillieux said: “The appointment of Bart Becks further underscores the growing attention SBS Broadcasting places on new media, be it second generation internet, mobile applications or other emerging delivery modes, in synergy with SBS’s traditional television and radio businesses. Bart is a highly accomplished new media executive with a proven track record of launching and leading successful multimedia services. He is well qualified to lead our increasing efforts to reach and interact with consumers through interactive services, while leveraging SBS’s well-established local television and radio brands to attract audiences’ attention in a crowded media environment and to build communities of interest.”
Mr. Becks will join SBS Broadcasting from Belgacom Skynet, where he currently serves as chief executive officer as well as chairman and chief executive officer of Skynet iMotion Activities. He is responsible for Belgacom Skynet’s new media initiatives such as building online businesses and developing mobile services and successfully launched BelgacomTV (including video-on-demand services). Previously, he held senior management positions within Belgacom Skynet and FNAC in France and Belgium. Mr. Becks will keep his role as vice president of IAB Belgium (Interactive Advertising Bureau), and will continue to lead the IDTV taskforce across IAB Europe.