Nina Etspueler promoted to group Creative Director of Red Arrow Studios; Michael Schmidt to step down as Chief Creative Officer in June after 15 years

Michael Schmidt, Chief Creative Officer of Red Arrow Studios, has decided to leave the company when his current management contract concludes at the end of June 2019, after 15 years with ProSiebenSat.1. Michael will be succeeded by Nina Etspueler, who is currently EVP Creative Operations at Red Arrow Studios and Michael Schmidt’s deputy. Nina will be promoted to Group Creative Director at Red Arrow Studios, and report to James Baker, President and Chief Operating Officer of Red Arrow Studios, effective from March 1, 2019. Michael will assist with the transition until the end of his term.

Nina will continue to be based in Munich, and oversee Red Arrow’s global format and IP development, acquisitions and international roll-out; and she will manage creative partnerships in Germany and internationally within Red Arrow, between Red Arrow and ProSiebenSat.1 channels, and with third party creators and producers.

James Baker said: “I would like to thank Michael for his dedication and hard work over the years. He has played an instrumental role in building the Red Arrow business from its start in 2010, and on behalf of all of my colleagues at Red Arrow and ProSiebenSat.1 we wish him all the best for the future.”

Baker continued: “I am delighted that Nina is stepping up to this new role of Group Creative Director at Red Arrow Studios. As we continue to grow and build out our production and distribution network in Germany and internationally, Nina is a key player in this expansion, from working with ProSiebenSat.1 channels and RedSeven in Germany, to our production network around the world.”

Nina Etspueler said: “I am very happy to be taking on this new role at Red Arrow, and excited about leading the creative strategy and direction of our business, working with Red Arrow’s production companies and partners. I would also like to thank Michael for being my mentor, colleague and friend, and I wish him every success.”

Michael Schmidt said: “ProSiebenSat.1 has defined my life much longer and much deeper than just the 15 years I had the pleasure of being with the team. Back in the 90s, my first work as a director was already for the company. I am incredibly thankful for all the support and opportunities I was given by the fantastic team and people I worked with. I am also incredibly proud about what we have achieved at Red Arrow since we started in 2010. Having worked with my dear friend Nina very closely since I joined ProSiebenSat.1, handing the reigns over to her now fills me with great joy. Nina simply rocks. I wish her, James, the team and all Red Arrow companies the best of success. I will miss them all terribly. Keep the fire burning.”

Nina started working for ProSiebenSat.1 in 1999, originally as a talk-show producer before moving into entertainment in 2002. She left the group in 2012 to produce in Berlin, before re-joining the group in 2014 as Senior Creative Producer for Red Arrow Studios. She was promoted to EVP Creative Operations in 2017, serving as deputy to the Chief Creative Officer and responsible for managing the company’s creative team.

Michael Schmidt joined ProSiebenSat.1 in 2005, assuming a number of senior management roles including Head of Development, Head of Comedy and SVP of Entertainment for German Free-TV operations, and joined the management team that founded Red Arrow Studios in 2009, assuming the role of Chief Creative Officer with the founding of Red Arrow Studios in January 2010. Previously a writer, producer and director, Michael has worked in the television industry for 30 years, with roles on both the network and production side including producer at WDR; TV Director at entertainment producer Brainpool; Creative Producer for RTL Television’s entertainment department; Executive Producer and Consultant for Granada Germany; and Editorial Director at youth entertainment station VIVA. Going forward, Michael will assume the function of Chairman of the Advisory Board of Israeli audience prediction company VAULT AI, and focus on his and his wife’s advisory company TV-Scout GmbH in Cologne, Germany, and on investing in IP and media ventures via his New York based outfit Total Schmidt Show LLC.