Management Team

David Ellender

CEO, FremantleMedia Enterprises, FremantleMedia

David Ellender is Chief Executive Officer of FremantleMedia Enterprises, the distribution and licensing divisions of FremantleMedia. 

Ellender oversees both Fremantle International Distribution (FID) and FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW) – the two commercial divisions that report into FremantleMedia Enterprises. He is a member of the FremantleMedia Operating Board.

Ellender joined FremantleMedia from Universal Studios Television Distribution, where he was Managing Director, Europe. At Universal, Ellender was responsible for developing the overall long-term strategy for the business. He also oversaw the successful transition of the integration process of PolyGram TV International into Universal, to create a new European structure. 

Ellender joined Universal from the role of President, PolyGram TV International, where he worked from 1992 to 1999. At PolyGram TV International, Ellender built and managed the company’s international sales team, initiated and implemented PolyGram’s Children’s TV Production and Distribution strategy and forged strategic alliances with Pay-TV Services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Other positions with leading media companies that Ellender has held include those of Head of Video & Television Sales for Virgin Vision, Acquisition Consultant for the Flextech channel, Bravo, and Commissioning Editor of British Satellite Broadcasting’s music channel, The Power Station. He was also previously Director of International Sales, Europe for Viacom International, from 1986 to 1989, restructuring the sales and administration functions of the company’s European operation to deliver a significant growth in turnover.