Luxembourg, March 15, 2007 – SBS Broadcasting S.ŕr.l. announced today that Markus Tellenbach (46) has resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Tellenbach joined SBS Broadcasting in February 2001 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of SBS in August 2002, a position he held until December 2005. He was appointed President in September 2001.
Mr. Tellenbach was the leader of the SBS management team that developed and executed the Company’s strategic expansion plan which propelled SBS into one of Europe’s largest and most dynamic media companies. During his tenure, SBS grew revenues from €479.9 million in 2001 to €879.5 million in 2005 and EBITDA from €20.9 million in 2001 to €144.8 million in 2005.
In August 2005, Mr. Tellenbach was instrumental in the sale of SBS Broadcasting to KKR and Permira for €2.1 billion. While Mr. Tellenbach continued to lead the privatized company as CEO after the sale, due to personal health reasons, he stepped down from his position as CEO in December 2005.
Dominic Murphy, Chairman of SBS, said, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Markus for his years of service and commitment to SBS Broadcasting. Under Markus's leadership SBS has developed from a collection of broadcasters into a highly successful multimedia group with a strong management team. We wish him well in his future endeavors."
Markus Tellenbach said, “Since joining SBS Broadcasting, I have had the pleasure to work with some of the most talented people in the industry. We developed and executed a strategic plan to expand our footprint and diversify our revenue streams, placing SBS in a position to capitalize on a number of long-term growth opportunities. While it is with mixed emotions that I announce my resignation from SBS, I have the utmost confidence in management and the Board of Directors to lead this company as it continues to build its position as a leader in the European media and broadcasting industry.”
SBS has been led by Patrick Tillieux, COO and acting CEO, since March 2006. The Company increased 2006 net revenues to more than €1 billion and recurring EBITDA to €207 million.
