Where’s Everybody directors speak of future in different companies

Adds PJ Vassallo's comments to MaltaToday

Where's Everybody directors Lou Bondì and PJ Vassallo have denied they will be closing down their company, insisting they were now looking at the creation of new off-shoot companies, with the directors pursuing their own specialisations.

Bondì and Vassallo were reacting to a story carried by The Times that reported that Where's Everybody? staff were handed termination notices. But the two directors have now insisted that this wasn't down to Where's Everybody? closing down but more as a measure of expansion with the directors pursuing their areas of interest.

The company, whose TV programmes include Sunday show Hadd Ghalik presented by Angie Laus, Bondi+, TVhemm and Xarabank, also said that workers who fit the new structures will be re-engaged.

"Since its inception in 1999, the operational remit of each of its directors has become more specialised. We are now simply formalising this process which entails the creation of new off-shoot companies reflecting these specialisations," Bond ì and Vassallo said.

"The notice given to our employees is part of this process. Those employees who fit into the new structures shall be re-engaged."

They added they will continue to work together to carry out their original functions through these companies and by sharing resources through Where's Everybody.

"Specifically, Lou Bondì shall continue producing and presenting TV programmes and provide strategic communications consultancy, PJ Vassallo and Mark Vassallo's focus shall be on production and broadcast and Peppi Azzopardi will continue producing and presenting TV programmes," Where's Everybody? said.

On his part, Peppi Azzopardi confirmed that he will continue producing and presenting Xarabank. 

PJ Vassallo confirmed that together with Mark Vassallo, a new off-shoot company has already been set up.

He also denied that Lou Bondì will be heading to Net TV. Rumours in media circles had it that Bondì will now be providing consultancy services to Media.Link, the PN's media organisation.

But according to Vassallo, these rumours are false.

Another question among media circles is whether programmes statement of intent submitted by Where's Everybody? at its present state to the Public Broadcasting Services will still remain valid.

Insisting that the company was not being dissolved, Vassallo said that, like other companies, they were still waiting for an answer from TVM.