Award-winning creative house NTRNZ Creative has appointed Jari Laakso as the company’s new CEO. Founder and majority stakeholder Teemu Hostikka will transition back into a key creative role as Creative Director and Executive Producer.
The leadership change forms part of NTRNZ Creative’s strategic growth, designed to further strengthen the company’s position at the forefront of premium factual and entertainment content – both domestically and internationally.
NTRNZ Creative’s productions reach millions of viewers worldwide through major broadcasters and streaming platforms.
The company is a four-time Golden Venla Award winner and is internationally recognised for titles such as Untold Arctic Wars, Love of the Wild, and Eränkävijät. Untold Arctic Wars remains the most internationally sold documentary series in Finnish history.
NTRNZ Creative’s content has been acquired by all Nordic public broadcasters as well as leading international networks and platforms including BBC, National Geographic, Smithsonian Channel, RTL, ByteDance, and SBS. The company has also collaborated with Imagine Entertainment (USA).
Jari Laakso brings over 32 years of senior leadership experience across corporate management, finance, sales and marketing, and digital transformation.
“I am truly excited about this new opportunity. NTRNZ Creative has proven its ability to produce meaningful, distinctive content. I have known the company since 2016, when I began as Chairman of the Board. My goal is to leverage my leadership experience and international network to further accelerate our growth and global expansion.”
Jari Laakso, CEO of NTRNZ Creative.
Outgoing CEO and founder Teemu Hostikka will now focus more fully on the company’s creative strategy, development and commercialisation of new productions, and his work as a writer and director.
As the company continues to expand, Hostikka’s expertise will be dedicated to ensuring artistic excellence and strategic direction across international productions.
“This transition allows me to concentrate on my core strengths: creative leadership, storytelling, development and commercial strategy. Jari’s extensive background in business leadership and governance will provide our creative team with the best possible conditions to focus on what we do best — creating meaningful, high-quality content.”
Teemu Hostikka, Creative Director and Executive Producer
