Marie Leguizamo Banijay Américas
Marie Leguizamo, managing director of Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, stated that she is in the process of hiring the team and finding the headquarters for the offices in Mexico City and Los Angeles.
“I’m excited about this position and I think a time is coming with many possibilities in the market. There are so many clients seeking the premium content Banijay makes, that it is a good idea to have different options. In the US there are at least six different Banijay companies. This gives clients more options, and at the same time we have a very good relation with Alejandro Rincón and his entire team to work coordinately” said Leguizamo, after commenting that they will occasionally work jointly with Endemol Shine Boomdog, and at other times they will venture into different projects, even though they may work for the same clients.
She explained they will make non-scripted content, such as shiny-floor shows, game shows, competitions, and docuseries, among others.
“Now, I am living 50% in Mexico and 50% in Los Angeles, and although it is crazy, I feel very comfortable in Mexico. We will soon open the office, for which we are seeking an appropriate and comfortable space that allows us to create” she said.
She stated that they are open to making content in Spanish and in English for the Hispanic and the Anglo market, as well as the Mexican and the Latin American ones. “The Hispanic market has changed because the audience has evolved: now, young people watch content in English, therefore the content for that market can be made in that language” explained Leguizamo.
“I was born in New York and grew up in the US, and I have been lucky to work internationally, in Latin America and in Mexico. What I have learned is that it is very important to work respecting the market you are making the content for, that their roots must be told appropriately, and we cannot impose the gaze we bring as foreigners. That is why I feel it is so important to have a local team and learn about the place. I believe presence in US Hispanic is also very important because it is where I come from and part of what I am”.
She added that she greatly values Mexican talent, and is impressed with the amazing professionals in that market.
