Cecile Frot-Coutaz

Head of YouTube, EMEA

Cecile joined YouTube in October 2018 as the Head of YouTube for Europe Middle East and Africa, in charge of the YouTube business, strategy and content partnerships in the complex and ever changing region.

Prior to joining YouTube, Cecile was CEO of FremantleMedia, a €1.5 bn creator, producer and distributor of entertainment, drama and factual content. The company also specialises in the extension of television entertainment brands through international distribution, licensing, sponsorship, gaming and branded entertainment.

Prior to her promotion, Cecile was CEO of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA), the largest P&L region. During her tenure, she doubled top-line revenues to $500m and grew profits to $80m. As the CEO of Fremantle, she restructured the core business, separating the development function from production, and introduced more systematic processes for creative development so that shows were developed in the context of broader consumer-led, data-driven content trends.

Cecile started her media career at Pearson, following an MBA from INSEAD. She helped transform Pearson Television to a leading international producer. She led the case for the Fremantle acquisition, which led to senior roles running Pearson’s operations in Spain, Italy and France. After a short stint in San Francisco creating online and interactive strategies for Pearson Television, Cecile joined the North American headquarters of the newly re-branded FremantleMedia in 2002 where she had a number of senior roles leading to her promotion to CEO, North America in 2005.

Outside of work, being a native of the French Alps, she loves spending time in the mountains, as well as travelling to remote places.