Charles Garland Named CEO Syco Entertainment

LONDON, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Syco Entertainment, the joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, today announces that Charles Garland will become the worldwide CEO with immediate effect.

Formerly the COO, his role will now include leadership of Syco's global TV business.

Charles joined Syco in March 2011 from Crystal Entertainment, the company he founded in 2007 and served as Chief Executive. He previously served at 19 Entertainment for 8 years, helping to build up its key brands globally. Before that he worked at Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) as Group Development Director, working with brands including Audi, Natwest and BT, and where he was responsible for building the agency's international operations, which involved launching offices in Asia and the US.

Simon Cowell said "Syco is a global business operating across 167 countries, working alongside the world's most important commercial clients and talent. I want to build on that success to ensure that Syco is one of the most important and respected entertainment businesses in the world. I have a fantastic team of people at Syco and wanted someone they respected and trusted, I am therefore delighted to confirm Charles as CEO of Syco"

Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO Sony Music says, "I am pleased to have Charles operating in this important role. He is a proven leader who along with the Syco team will continue to build on Syco's successes and further expand Syco's worldwide businesses."

About Syco Entertainment

Syco Entertainment is leading global music, television, film and digital production company. Syco Entertainment is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment and has offices in London and Los Angeles. Syco's television and music assets include leading global franchises The X Factor and Got Talent, and includes artists such as Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Il Divo, Cher Lloyd, One Direction & Labrinth.  

The X Factor launched in 2004 in the UK, Airing on ITV1, The X Factor has been the number one show in the UK for eight years, with the 2010 finale achieving a peak of 21.2 million viewers, and a 65% share. The 2011 finale, held at Wembley Arena in front of a live audience of 12,000, was the most watched TV show of the year, with a bigger audience than the Royal Wedding. The X Factor launched in the US in fall 2011, on Fox, immediately becoming the number one unscripted show of the season.  The X Factor also gave Fox victory in the November "sweep" among adults aged 18 to 49 for only the second time in the network's history. The US version airs in 162 countries.

Local versions of The X Factor are now produced in more than 35 territories. Around the world, The X Factor has increased the average demographic for many broadcasters by up to 250%. In Denmark, it has been the number one show for the last four years, peaking with an 80% share of the audience. In Colombia, it has consistently ranked number one, with a 75% share of the audience. In countries such as Greece, Hungary, The Netherlands, France and Italy, The X Factor consistently delivers a 50% to 65% share of viewing audiences.

Artists discovered by The X Factor format have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including 110 number ones, 270 top 10, and 501 top 50 releases.

Got Talent launched in the USA in 2006, as America's Got Talent, reawakening the nation's passion for variety entertainment and becoming an award-winning ratings hit across the globe. In the US, America's Got Talent has been the highest-rated series on NBC for the last four seasons, reaching average audiences of up to 16.4 million viewers. The 2011 series achieved the highest-rated launch of the show's six seasons so far. The US version airs in 125 countries.

Britain's Got Talent launched in the UK in 2007, on ITV1, immediately becoming the nation's highest-rated new entertainment programme of the year, with a peak audience of 11.6 million viewers. The show has consistently beaten ITV1's prime time average audience by up to 120% for all viewers, and by up to 191% for young adults. A peak audience of 18.3 million viewers saw Susan Boyle finish a narrow second to dance troupe Diversity in the 2009 final of Britain's Got Talent. The event ranked as the UK's number one entertainment programme of the decade and the highest-rated show of 2009. The 2011 series ranked as the number one show in its time slot, beating its nearest competitor by an astonishing 500% for all viewers.

Local versions of the show have been produced in 49 territories so far.  Around the world, China's Got Talent delivered a record-breaking 575 million viewers for the 2011 final, while Australia's Got Talent was the most watched show on Australian television in 2011. In countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden and The Netherlands, Got Talent has boosted broadcasters' prime time audience shares by as much as 304%.

About Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars.  The company boasts a vast catalogue that comprises some of the most important recordings in history.  It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre.  Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

SOURCE Syco Entertainment