European Audio-Visual Observatory names new executive director

Susanne Nikoltchev has been appointed as the executive director of the European Audiovisual Observatory, effective July 1.

Nikoltchev is an international media lawyer who focuses on audiovisual legislation. She has headed the company’s department of legal information since 1998.

The European Audiovisual Observatory is a division of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Its goal is to gather and spread information on the audiovisual industry throughout the continent.

Nikoltchev said she was looking forward to “helping the Observatory rise to its future challenges in an increasingly global, technology driven and complex audiovisual landscape.”

She added that she intends to “reinforce the Observatory’s position as a unique information source on the audiovisual industries in Europe and their legal framework.”

Nikoltchev replaces the company’s outgoing director Wolfgang Closs, who according to her “left an indelible stamp on the life of the Observatory and had been responsible for the considerable enlargement of the organization’s scope, resources and reputation during his 13 years as director.”