Endemol has named Eric Linschooten as managing director of Endemol Norway. In the newly created post, he will be responsible for planning and building Endemol's growth in Norway, as well as creating new programs for the local and international market.

Linschooten will also be responsible for overseeing the production of local versions of Endemol's global formats for leading broadcasters in Norway. He will be based in the company's new offices in Oslo and report directly to Michael Porseryd, chief executive officer of Endemol Nordic, which launched in July as Endemol's first fully owned operation in Scandinavia. Further senior appointments will be announced.

Linschooten was previously with Norwegian production company Too the Moon where he held the role of managing director. He was also previously executive producer for "Strix" and has worked at leading Swedish broadcasters TV3 and ZTV. During his career, Linschooten has been executive producer on Norwegian versions of popular programs, including "Top Model," "Project Runway," "Beauty and the Geek," "The Block" and "Find My Family," which is known locally as "Spårløs."

"This is an exciting time to join Endemol Nordic as the company begins to build its presence across Scandinavia," says Linschooten. "In Norway there is already a huge buzz around the phenomenal success of formats such as 'Wipeout' and Endemol's global catalog of hit shows represents a great opportunity in the market here."

In Norway, "Wipeout" has delivered record ratings, beating channel averages by up to 183 percent in its first run and returning for a second season this year. The show's popularity led to a Pan-Scandinavian series launch in 2009, which is due to return this month.