RTL Group | Los Angeles, 01/17/2025

‘Some Of Our Colleagues Have Lost Everything’

Fremantle and BMG employees are among the people hard hit by the catastrophic Los Angeles fires. Many of our colleagues have had to leave their homes and apartments. Their companies have initiated a number of measures to help them.

The danger from the fires that have been raging in and around Los Angeles since January 7 has not yet been averted. However, the firefighters are now increasingly able to contain the various fires, and the prospect of falling temperatures and decreasing winds are also cause for hope. According to official figures, at least 25 people have lost their lives in one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the U.S. metropolis; more than 12,000 buildings have been destroyed; and around 82,000 people have been evacuated and are currently unable to return to their homes. Numerous colleagues from Fremantle and BMG are among those affected – both companies have headquarters in Los Angeles and, in the case of Fremantle, a number of other production buildings. According to our latest information, there have been no fatalities among employees. The companies have initiated various relief measures for the affected colleagues and are supporting charities and relief projects.

Poor air quality due to smoke from the fires

Fremantle North America employs roughly 200 people at its headquarters in Burbank, a city in Los Angeles County just north of the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Several hundred more are employed at the film and TV production companies Eureka in the Encino district in the north of Los Angeles in the central part of the southern San Fernando Valley; Original, also located in Burbank; The Immigrant in the western district of Venice; and Fabel in the Hollywood district. From the very beginning, Fremantle has kept its employees informed via a dedicated Teams channel (“LA Fires Emergency Teams Channel”). The HR department and managers are also staying in touch with colleagues by phone, text messages, and emails. “Many of our employees and their families have been evacuated from their homes,” reports Denise Rodine, Executive Vice President Human Resources at Fremantle North America. Many others have had to leave their homes due to the prolonged power outages. “We know of employees who have lost everything,” says Denise Rodine. “Fortunately there have been no fatalities so far.” Other major problems are the poor air quality due to the smoke from the fires, and poor water quality, which means that in some parts of the city, water from the municipal network has to be boiled before it can be drunk.

The Fremantle building at 2900 West Alameda Avenue in Burbank is still open, Denise Rodine continues. “All employees who want to come here can do so. Some do so because the air is so bad elsewhere or because they are affected by power and internet outages.” They can also still work flexible hours. Rodine says that Teams and email are being used to organize help for those who need everyday items, e.g. for collecting and distributing food, clothing, and household goods, and arranging accommodations,. Fremantle is also calling for people to support local and regional organizations that are helping people affected by the fire disaster in various ways. These organizations include the California Fire Foundation, World Central Kitchen, Direct Relief, The Salvation Army, and The Red Cross.

Pre-Grammy party canceled

Around 150 of our colleagues work for BMG in Los Angeles, whose company headquarters are located at 5670 Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile district south of Hollywood and close to Central Los Angeles. Some of them lost their homes as well, while others had to be evacuated from the danger zone. The company reports that, apart from the homes and apartments of employees, the BMG offices were also significantly affected by the poor air quality due to smoke.

Shortly after the outbreak of the wildfires in Los Angeles, BMG took various measures to support its employees. BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld and CHRO Melanie McAllister addressed the team on site in a statement and emphasized that their safety is paramount. For this reason, employees are still free to work from home if possible. The local HR team provided employees with a list of helpful resources and conducted a survey to determine the status of employees in the city affected by the fires and to support those who have tragically lost their homes.

BMG has also been reporting on its fire-related activities on social media starting on Friday, January 10, when the music company communicated its sympathy and support for those affected. On Tuesday, January 14, BMG announced that it was canceling its traditional celebrations surrounding the upcoming Grammy Awards on February 2. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce BMG will no longer host its Pre-Grammy Party on Tuesday, January 28. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters and first responders in Los Angeles County who are working tirelessly to contain the fires,” reads a message posted on Instagram.