Wouter Quartier, a senior digital strategy and transformation practitioner with over 18 years’ experience at Flemish broadcaster and EBU Member, VRT, has been appointed as the EBU’s new Head of Digital, Transformation and Platforms. He will take up the position in August 2021.

Quartier held a number of roles at VRT, including most recently as Manager of Strategy and Corporate Development, where he led the digital transformation for VRT’s radio, TV, news and sports brands and the strategy for VRT’s online video platform, VRTNu. 

As well as a significant track record in the digital arena, Quartier also brings to the role his experience managing VRT’s kids and youth channels - Ketnet and OP12 - both TV and online, where he was in charge of the management team, strategy, content & distribution, marketing, partnerships and commercial activities, between 2012-2016. Prior to this, he was an integral part of VRT’s Media Intelligence Service, which he led for six years. 

Quartier left VRT in January 2021 to set up an independent consultancy service – we.bridge – focusing on data, strategy and management bridging of new data and AI possibilities for organizations.  

Jean Philip De Tender, Media Director, EBU, said, “We were looking for a candidate with an exceptional range of experience for this complex and pivotal role that is central to everything we do at the EBU and to the expertise we provide to our Members. Wouter combines the skills and flexibility to lead the EBU’s activities in this area as we respond to greater challenges and accelerated change within our industry, especially in the context of COVID-19. He will work closely with a newly-elected Digital Committee that is committed to supporting the EBU as we advance further in this field and he inherits a solid legacy from his predecessor, Ezra Eeman, who created a culture of digital adoption in our organization and built the foundations that have enabled the EBU and our Members to adapt and react to new challenges so effectively.” 

João Pedro Galveias, Director of Digital Services at EBU Portuguese Member, RTP, and Chair of the EBU Digital Committee, was closely involved in the recruitment process, “In a world which is seeing accelerated and increased adoption of digital processes and transformation, this key appointment needed someone with a unique approach and mix of skills, with the strategic intelligence to swiftly adapt to the vastly changing demands of the digital arena. I am delighted to say that we have found that person in Wouter, who will bring a mix of insight, knowledge and experience to this important role for both the EBU and its Members, and implement the key priorities identified by the Digital Committee. I look forward to working closely with him.”

Commenting on his appointment, Quartier said, “I’m excited to join the EBU, both the organization and the wider Membership, and will be proud to carry on the ground-breaking work that the EBU is doing in the field of digital transformation, distribution and platforms. I’m very much looking forward to collaborating with the EBU and its Members but, for me, this is not so much a new beginning as a continuation of the close ties and connections that I’ve developed with the EBU Membership through my work as part of my previous participations at the EBU, such as the EBU Digital Transformation Initiative, the EBU Strategy Group and the GEAR network. Through these links, I’ve seen the significant impact digital development is having on public service media, the challenges and the opportunities – and I can’t wait to get started and build on the great record of my new team.”

Quartier will also play an important role as part of the EBU’s Media Management team, bringing into play his digital transformation and data management experience and also his public service media credentials. 

Quartier takes over from Ezra Eeman who moves to a new position as Change Director at Mediahuis in Belgium. Eeman joined the EBU in 2017 from VRT, where he had been Head of VRT Start-Up. In his four years as EBU Head of Digital and later in an expanded brief as Head of Digital, Transformation and Platforms, he fostered a comprehensive digital acceleration programme among EBU Members across Europe. He also successfully oversaw new EBU Member participation through tailored knowledge exchange and development programmes, ultimately strengthening the focus of public service media outlets on their digital, platform and transformation activities.