{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = George Levendis | image = | caption = | image_size = 250px | birth_name = | alias = | birth_place = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} | origin = Australian (Greek heritage) | instrument = | genre = | occupation = Television General Manager, Television Executive, Television Producer, Television CMO, Music Executive | years_active = | label = Syco Entertainment, SonyBMG Entertainment (Columbia, Epic, RCA, Arista, J Records), Arista UK, Arista Records US, Bad Boy Records, LaFace Records, Heaven Music | associated_acts = Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, P!nk, TLC, Puff Daddy/P.Diddy, Usher, Dido, Outkast, Patti Smith, Toni Braxton, Avril Lavigne, Lisa Stansfield, Prince, Sarah McLachlan, Kenny G, Baby Animals, Yianni, Marinella, Alkistis Protopsalti, Antonis Vardis, Phoebus (writer/producer), Despina Vandi, Giorgos Mazonakis, Michalis Hatzigiannis, Yiannis Kotsiras, Giannis Vardis | website = https://georgelevendis.com | current_members = | past_members = }}
'''George Levendis''' is a Global Television and Music Executive and is currently Managing Director of Antenna TV, MAK TV and Antenna Studios for the ANT1 Group, having been promoted from CMO. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in leading all operations of the television stations and the ANT1 Studios, overseeing the P&L's and offering strategic guidance to empower creative and commercial growth.
Prior to this, he was the Executive Producer and show-runner of Red Bull's ''The Cut''. In 2018 he took on the role of COO of Acun Medya Global, focusing on the production and expansion of TV formats internationally.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=2018-05-07|title=Former Syco Chief George Levendis Joins Turkish Broadcaster Acun Medya|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/former-syco-chief-george-levendis-joins-turkish-broadcaster-acun-medya-1202384133/|access-date=2020-08-30|website=Deadline|language=en}}</ref> From 2011 to 2018 he was Head of International for Syco TV, a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment. In this role he was responsible for the international expansion of ''The X Factor'' and ''Got Talent'' and other Syco TV franchises. During his tenure at Syco, ''Got Talent'' and ''The X Factor'' grew rapidly internationally. ''Got Talent'' was produced in over 70 markets and ''The X Factor'' was sold to over 56 markets globally.
Over the last 20 years, Levendis has held senior management and international marketing positions at a number of record companies, including Arista Records, Arista Records U.K., BMG Greece, BMG Australia, Heaven Music, and culminating as Senior Vice President of Sony BMG Global Marketing at the headquarters of Sony BMG in New York City. In this position, he oversaw worldwide campaigns for artists including Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Pink, Shakira, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, Leona Lewis, Il Divo and Westlife. ==Background== George attended Sydney Boys High School<ref name="MADBio1">{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=21 November 2001 |title=Ο Γιώργος Λεβέντης στη Heaven |url=http://www.mad.tv/section/news/5350/news/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001233051/http://www.mad.tv/section/news/5350/news/ |archivedate=1 October 2012 |accessdate=19 January 2010 |publisher=MAD TV |language=Greek}}</ref><ref name="AusBio1">{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fadt_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004-07/public_diplomacy/submissions/sub31_a2.pdf |title=MR. GEORGE LEVENDIS |year=2006 |work=Advance 100 Global Delegates |publisher=Advance 100 Global Australian Summit 2006 |pages=52 |accessdate=20 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604190541/http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fadt_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004-07/public_diplomacy/submissions/sub31_a2.pdf |archivedate=4 June 2011 }}</ref> and then pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of New South Wales and graduated with a Master of Commerce in Marketing. He also attained a Master of Arts in Media Management from Macquarie University's Graduate School of Management.<ref name="AusBio1" />
Levendis started his career in music marketing at BMG Australia,<ref name="AusBio1" /> and worked across all marketing and artist development divisions culminating in becoming General Manager of Marketing.<ref name="AusBio1" />
Levendis left BMG Australia for Arista Records U.K., where he served as Marketing Director.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hunter|first=Nigel|date=31 May 1997|volume=109|issue=22|title=Newsline...|magazine=Billboard|pages=58|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YQ8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=levendis+BMG+UK&pg=PA58|accessdate=20 January 2010}}</ref> He was then promoted to Managing Director of BMG Greece,<ref name="MADBio1" /><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Higgs|first=Adrian|title=BMG Entertainment|magazine=Billboard|date=July 21, 1997|pages=48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KBAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22George+Levendis%22+billboard&pg=PA48|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref> and soon afterwards was moved to Arista Records in New York where he served as Vice President of International Worldwide Marketing under Clive Davis, eventually being promoted to Senior Vice President of Marketing under Antonio "LA" Reid.<ref name="Pressbio1">{{cite web |url=http://www.spoke.com/info/p6WRL5w/GeorgeLevendis |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202184026/http://www.spoke.com/info/p6WRL5w/GeorgeLevendis |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2013 |title=George Levendis's Biography |year=2005 |publisher=Spoke.com |accessdate=19 January 2010}}</ref> While at Arista, Levendis helped capitalize on artists' global presence,<ref name="Billboard2">{{cite magazine |last=Siegler |first=Dylan |date=May 13, 2000 |title=George Levendis & Co. Work To Create Buzz Abroad |magazine=Billboard |volume=112 |issue=20 |pages=64 |issn=0006-2510 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JQ8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22George+Levendis%22+billboard&pg=PA64 |accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref> overseeing the international marketing campaigns for Carlos Santana's ''Supernatural'', Whitney Houston's ''My Love is Your Love'' and ''Whitney: The Greatest Hits'', TLC's ''FanMail'', and Pink's ''Can't Take Me Home'' among others.<ref name="Pressbio1" />
Levendis was then hired as Managing Director, with the launching of the Greek independent label Heaven Music, owned by ANT1 Group, which he helped build into one of Greece's most successful independent music companies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mad.tv/section/news/31890/showbiz/ |title=Oι αδέκαστοι του X Factor |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 30, 2008 |publisher=MAD TV |language=Greek |accessdate=February 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002111844/http://www.mad.tv/section/news/31890/showbiz/ |archivedate=October 2, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ant1online.gr/showbiz/News/Pages/20045/0fef1864-0f7a-4dea-861d-e2f0545dad6c.aspx|script-title=el:Αποχώρησε η Σαββίνα|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=May 26, 2004|publisher=ANT1|language=Greek|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref>
He returned to New York and Sony BMG's global headquarters to serve as Senior Vice President of Sony BMG Global Marketing Group, working across keys markets to develop and promote worldwide campaigns for Sony's global priority artists including, Beyonce, Bob Dylan, Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Pink and Bruce Springsteen.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Han |first=Sarah |date=March 26, 2005 |title=Record Companies: Sony BMG Global Marketing Group |magazine=Billboard |volume=117 |issue=13 |pages=30 |issn=0006-2510 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oxQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22George+Levendis%22+billboard&pg=PA30}}</ref>
Levendis returned to ANT1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mad.tv/section/news/29765/showbiz/ |title=Ο Γιώργος Λεβέντης ξανά στον ANT 1 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=4 April 2008 |publisher=MAD TV |language=Greek |accessdate=19 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001234926/http://www.mad.tv/section/news/29765/showbiz/ |archivedate=1 October 2012 }}</ref> television as General Manager repositioning the broadcaster as the most contemporary station in the region. The rebranding strategy, including a new logo, complete station makeover and a new AVOD strategy catapulted Antenna into a new era. High rating shows included ''Got Talent'', ''Next Top Model'', ''Dancing with the Stars'', ''The X Factor'' and the Morning Show ''10 to 1''. Antenna also entered the sports domain broadcasting Formula One, Greek A1 Basket League and the UEFA Europa League for three consecutive years. Over this time Levendis served as a judge on Greece's The X Factor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inews.gr/59/leventis-afto-pou-endiaferei-einai-o-kalos-syndyasmos-ton-charaktiron-ton-kriton.htm|script-title=el:Λεβέντης: "Αυτό που ενδιαφέρει είναι ο καλός συνδυασμός των χαρακτήρων των κριτών"|author=|date=January 8, 2010|publisher=Innews.gr/Madame Figaro|language=Greek|accessdate=February 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.star.gr/index.php?ID=media&Rec_ID=21555|title=Θεοφάνους vs Λεβέντη|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=November 8, 2009|publisher=Star Channel|language=Greek|accessdate=February 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemovies.gr/tvnews/agria-kontra-theofanoys-lebenti-sto-x-factor|title=Άγρια κόντρα Θεοφάνους-Λεβέντη στο X-Factor|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=November 7, 2009|publisher=livemovies.gr|language=Greek|accessdate=February 4, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yupi.gr/gkrinia/c7112/8eofanoys_enantion_Leventh:_Trexei_Kasta.html |script-title=el:Θεοφάνους εναντίον Λεβέντη: Τρέχει Κάστανο |last=Kazoni |first=Sonia |date=January 17, 2009 |publisher=Yupi.gr |language=Greek |accessdate=February 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512181722/http://www.yupi.gr/gkrinia/c7112/8eofanoys_enantion_Leventh%3A_Trexei_Kasta.html |archivedate=May 12, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inews.gr/59/exallos-o-leventis-me-ton-theofanous.htm|script-title=el:Έξαλλος ο Λεβέντης με τον Θεοφάνους|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=November 10, 2010|publisher=iNews.gr|language=Greek|accessdate=February 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gossip-tv.gr/story/17396/peristeri-eirenes-apo-ton-theophanous-ston-lebente|script-title=el:Περιστέρι ειρήνης από τον Θεοφάνους στον Λεβέντη|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=November 14, 2009|publisher=gossip-tv.gr|language=Greek|accessdate=February 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/pages/George-Levendis-Girgos-Lebentes/144269906035|title=George Levendis Official Facebook|last=Levendis|first=George|website=Facebook|date=January 27, 2010|accessdate=February 4, 2010}}</ref>
In 2011, he joined Simon Cowell as Head of International Syco TV, overseeing Syco's international business, as detailed above.
==Personal life== Levendis met his wife Maria Mentis-Levendis in Australia.<ref name="Pagritia1">{{cite web |last=Papakostopoulou |first=Katerina |date=18 April 2009 |script-title=el:Ο Λεβέντης έβαλε στοίχημα για την Καγιά |url=http://www.pagritianews.com/1/44/1831.nphtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607070147/http://www.pagritianews.com/1/44/1831.nphtml |archive-date=7 June 2009 |accessdate=19 January 2010 |publisher=Pagritia News |language=Greek}}</ref> They have 3 children, twins, born in Manhattan, NYC and a son born in Athens. Maria was on the board of directors of the Make a Wish Foundation in Greece and played an integral part in the marketing and public relations of the charity. Make A Wish is the selected charity for Greece's high rating show ''Dancing with the Stars''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espressonews.gr/default.asp?pid=79&la=2&catid=0&artid=1129883&pg=1 |script-title=el:Η γνωστή-άγνωστη σύζυγος του Γιώργου Λεβέντη |last=Stamati |first=Sasa |date=January 16, 2010 |publisher=Espresso Newspaper |language=Greek |accessdate=February 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721080714/http://espressonews.gr/default.asp?pid=79&la=2&catid=0&artid=1129883&pg=1 |archivedate=July 21, 2011 }}</ref> Maria continues to be an active supporter of the charity in the United Kingdom where the family resides.
==See also== *Heaven Music
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Levendis, George}} Category:Living people Category:ANT1 Group Category:Australian music industry executives Category:University of New South Wales alumni Category:Heaven Music Category:People educated at Sydney Boys High School Category:Year of birth missing (living people)