Business 4 min read By Trevor Kendall
Banijay Closes All3Media International’s New York Office, Laying Off U.S. Sales Chief
Banijay is shutting down All3Media International’s New York office, resulting in layoffs including U.S. sales chief Jennifer Askin, following the completion of the $8 billion merger between the two entertainment groups.
Banijay is closing All3Media International’s New York office, a move that will trigger a fresh round of layoffs following the completion of its mega-merger with the British production group. The decision removes the U.S. sales operation from the combined company’s structure and includes the departure of Jennifer Askin, who served as the division’s U.S. sales chief.
The closure is the latest step in the integration of the two companies behind hit shows such as The Traitors, Big Brother, and Peaky Blinders. The merger, which was completed last month, created an $8 billion entertainment behemoth known as Banijay Entertainment, headquartered in London and jointly owned by its parent groups.
The New York office had been a key sales hub for All3Media International, handling distribution of the group’s programming across the American market. With its closure, Banijay is consolidating its U.S. sales operations into its broader structure, a common move in large-scale media mergers as companies seek to eliminate redundant roles and streamline decision-making.
Jennifer Askin, who led U.S. sales for All3Media International, is among those affected by the layoffs. Her departure marks a significant change for the company’s American distribution efforts, as she had been a prominent figure in the international sales community. The full scope of the job cuts has not been publicly detailed, but the office closure signals a substantial reduction in the company’s New York-based workforce.
The merger between Banijay and All3Media brought together two of the most prolific production and distribution companies in the global entertainment industry. Banijay, already a major player in unscripted television with formats like Big Brother, expanded its portfolio significantly by adding All3Media’s extensive catalog of scripted and unscripted content. The combined entity now controls a vast library of programming and produces content across multiple continents.
Patrick Holland remains in place as executive chairman and CEO of Banijay U.K. following the merger, reporting to Banijay Entertainment CEO Marco Bassetti. His continued leadership is seen as a stabilizing factor for the U.K. operations, which now include All3Media’s British production labels.
The closure of the New York office is part of a broader effort by Banijay to integrate its newly acquired assets and reduce operational overlap. As the company works to realize the financial benefits of the merger, further consolidation of back-office functions and sales teams is expected. The move reflects the ongoing trend of consolidation in the media industry, where scale has become increasingly important in negotiations with streaming platforms and broadcasters.
Banijay has not issued a public statement regarding the New York office closure or the specific number of employees affected. However, the decision underscores the practical consequences of large-scale mergers, as companies move quickly to align their operations and cut costs. For the U.S. sales team, the transition means that distribution duties will likely be absorbed by other parts of the organization, though it remains unclear how client relationships will be managed going forward.
