FremantleMedia North America has promoted David Luner to president of brand partnerships and franchise management, where he will oversee all of FMNA’s ancillary businesses including digital brand partnerships, sponsorship and integrated marketing, licensing, live events and various elements of business development.

Luner had assumed the interim role of executive vice president of brand partnerships and franchise management during the integration of FremantleMedia Enterprises, the previous ancillary rights group, into the FMNA corporate structure. In his interim role, Luner helped oversee the reorganization process, as well as secure key partners and launch high-profile brand extensions across Fremantle’s portfolio of businesses.

“David has a real talent for extending our entertainment properties in unique and innovative ways that benefit both our core brand, as well as those belonging to our partners,” says Thom Beers, chief executive officer, FremantleMedia North America, to whom Luner reports. “His ability to bring companies together to create new and sensational consumer experiences is unparalleled within the industry.”

During this interim role, Luner achieved some landmark successes across each of the business units under his expanded remit. On the licensing front he was instrumental in extending the long-running The American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort, and launching a series of new gaming and gambling products including Let’s Make A Deal and Family Feud slot machines. 

The live events group witnessed the continued success of “The Price Is Right Live!” tour, the launch of the inaugural “Family Feud Live!” tour, and an “America’s Got Talent Live” national tour. 

On the brand partnership front, new partners Secret, Herbal Essence, Cover Girl and Honda joined for season three of “The X Factor,” while digital brand partnerships recently announced two deals with both Google and Facebook for “American Idol XIII.” 

Over the past decade, Luner has held a number of positions within FremantleMedia, including his most recent roles as executive vice president, brand partnerships and franchise management for FMNA, and executive vice president of digital and licensing for FME. 

“This is a very exciting time to be part of FMNA, as there is a palpable sense of creative energy and inspirational leadership under Thom Beers,” says Luner. “The company is committed to creating and developing new innovative and lasting multi-platform entertainment franchises, and has the infrastructure to build and extend these brands into a wide array of ancillary consumer experiences, products and brand partnerships.”