Alan Friedman

Chairman FBC Group

Alan Friedman, Chairman and Founder of FBC Group Ltd., is a media entrepreneur, former award-winning journalist with the Financial Times of London, the International Herald Tribune and The Wall Street Journal, best-selling author (Agnelli, Spider’s Web), television talk show host and a former contributing editor of Vanity Fair.

One of Europe’s most respected economic and political commentators, economic and global political journalist, author and well-known TV personality, Alan Friedman is head of FBC, a media group whose subsidiaries include an international television and digital content producer, a branded content agency and a strategic communications company, with head offices in London and offices in Rome, Delhi, and Mumbai.

Alan was awarded the British Press Award four times during his 14 year career at the Financial Times. He is the only American journalist to have received the Medal of Honour (1977) from the Italian Parliament.

Alan Friedman was born in New York City on April 30th 1956. He was educated at NYU (B.A. Politics and History), the London School of Economics (International Relations) and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (M.A. International Economics and Law).

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John Defterios

President, FBC Media

John Defterios is an award winning journalist with 25 years of experience in financial news and global affairs and serves as President of the group. In this capacity, he oversees FBC's factual programming and media services work. He was an anchor and correspondent for CNN, CNN International, and CNN from 1992-2000 in New York and London. From 2000 until 2007 he hosted FBC's award winning syndicated programme, World Business distributed to 350 million households in Europe, Middle East, Asia and the U.S., plus 45 airlines. Since October 2007, Defterios hosts CNN International's Marketplace Middle East (MME).

Prior to his work with FBC, Defterios managed a joint-venture between Reuters Television and Nightly Business Report of PBS-TV in the U.S. He has held editorial positions in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, London and Rome. Defterios has been a media leader of the World Economic Forum since 1995, is chairman of Business Week events in Europe, Asia and the Middle East and writes a weekly column on global economic affairs.

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Eckart Sager

Executive Vice President / Head of Production

 

German-born, American educated, Eckart Sager joined FBC from CNN where he served as London-based Senior Producer of Business Unusual, the top-rated feature business profile show. Prior to his European posting, Mr. Sager produced numerous programmes for CNN in New York, including Pinnacle, spending three years travelling the world profiling leading CEO’s. He also worked as a producer for Moneyline with Lou Dobbs.

Mr. Sager brings his award-winning expertise in news, current affairs and feature programming to production and placement for FBC Media, while continuing to serve as Executive Producer on many of FBC’s long form specials, series and documentaries. He has been instrumental in building out FBC’s media tools and provides key strategic communications advice and support on behalf of FBC clients.

 

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Jess Panesar

Finance Director

 

Jess Panesar has held senior board level roles within top advertising and marketing services groups including Lowe, Publicis and Iris Worldwide. He is a chartered accountant and a fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Within his career he has financially led and managed business growth, re-engineered agencies and commercially negotiated deals for a number of high profile clients.

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Gino Trisolino

Chief Technology Officer

Gino has risen through the IT ranks of FBC to become CTO in late 2004. As CTO Gino is responsible for all activities associated with information technology (IT) services, network infrastructure, digital media and information security standards. He has specialised in media sector for most of his IT career.

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Urmila Gupta

 

Urmila Gupta has been one of the front-runners in the development and growth of the media and broadcasting industry in India.

She was head of India’s International Film Festival organization for many years and organized the annual International Film Festivals of India. Mrs. Gupta launched many new initiatives in the Festival which are still being observed and recognized by the film industry. She has been a member of the National Film Development Corporation Board as well the Executive Committee of the Children’s Film Society of India, the organization for promotion of Children’s Films in India. During this time she was also member of many film related Committees. Her involvement with the Indian film industry for over 20 years makes her a respected figure in industry circles.

She served with Government of India from October 1968 - October 1996 and then took voluntary retirement to join News Corp and a majority of those years were mainly in the Film and television media posts under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Her work experience of over 35 years as a Professional in the Indian Media and Entertainment sector both in the Public and private sector has very few equals.

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Massimiliano Lanaro

Head of Italian Operation

 

Massimiliano is a certified public accountant and member of the auditors association. He has over 10 years experience as a fiscal and accounting manager. Massimiliano’s key role includes business planning and management for FBC Italy.