Manfred Westphal - FremantleMedia Top PR Exec Abruptly Resigns

Oh no! What is happening at FreemantleMedia? Why so secretive about this departure?

The head of PR just left... what about X Factor???

From Deadline:

This is a bizarre story that has had people scratching their heads over the past 2 days. FremantleMedia North America’s communications and marketing head Manfred Westphal has abruptly left the reality TV indie giant behind such shows as American Idol, America’s Got Talent and the upcoming X Factor. Westphal served as SVP of marketing and communications, reporting to CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz. Word is Westphal quietly cleared his office over the weekend, leaving only a resignation letter for Frot-Coutaz. Adding to the mystery, attempts to reach Westphal today have been unsuccessful. His known personal phones have been disconnected, while his work phone number is automatically transferred to FremantleMedia North America’s main switchboard. The company’s head of human resources Ellen Goldsmith wouldn’t comment on the circumstances surrounding Westphal’s departure but confirmed that he “has resigned to make a change and pursue a new chapter in his life.” “We wish him the best,” she said, adding that the company is “in the process of recruiting” a replacement. Because of the sudden nature of Westphal’s exit, FremantleMedia is also looking for “interim solution” until a permanent replacement is found.