Rakuten International announces a leadership change at Rakuten France

Cédric Dufour appointed president of Rakuten France and will remain CEO of Rakuten TV

SAN MATEO, California., June 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Rakuten International, a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., announces a leadership change at the group’s French e-commerce subsidiary, Rakuten France. Cédric Dufour has been appointed as the new CEO of Rakuten France, with immediate effect July 1, 2024and will continue in his current role as CEO of Rakuten TV. Dufour’s appointment and expanded portfolio exemplify his broad expertise in e-commerce and digital entertainment, as well as Rakuten’s commitment to supporting growth across and beyond its diverse business portfolio.

Dufour joined Rakuten in 2016 as Chief Operating Officer of Rakuten France and has played a key role in the Group’s development of e-commerce and digital entertainment in Europe, playing a key role in the development of Rakuten’s marketplaces and membership platforms in the region. He served as Managing Director of Open E-Commerce Europe from 2019 to 2021, when he was promoted to his current position as CEO of Rakuten TV, a leading European streaming platform.

At Rakuten TV, Dufour led the streaming entertainment platform to significant growth and greater awareness in the European market. Under his leadership, Rakuten TV has expanded its TVOD, AVOD and FAST offerings to meet a broader range of consumer preferences, positioning the platform as a leading brand in the video streaming market and demonstrating Dufour’s ability to lead enterprises to quickly adapt and expand into emerging digital sectors.

Outgoing President and CEO of Rakuten France, Fabien Versavau, leaves in search of new opportunities. Versavau has led Rakuten France since 2018.

Amit Patelpresident and CEO of Rakuten International, said: “I am thrilled to announce Cédric as the new president of Rakuten France. With a proven track record of success, he will continue to build on the strong foundation that Fabien has laid, using it as a springboard for further growth.

Patel continued: “On behalf of the entire Rakuten Group, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Fabien Versavau for his visionary leadership and commitment to growing Rakuten’s consumer presence in the market France. Under his leadership, Rakuten France successfully rebranded PriceMinister and significantly expanded its seller and consumer base, becoming one of France the five largest online retailers.”

The appointment of Cédric Dufour as president of Rakuten France, in addition to his role at Rakuten TV, reflects Rakuten International’s strategic approach to leadership and innovation across its global operations.

“I am honored to take over as president of Rakuten France and build on the solid foundations laid by my predecessor,” said Dufour. “I am committed to maintaining the growth of the Rakuten France and Rakuten TV businesses, while working across our diverse business units to unlock new value and synergies for Rakuten. I am confident that we can continue to enhance Rakuten France’s offerings and services to ensure the business continues its strong growth trajectory.”

About Rakuten France
Rakuten France, a key player in the French online shopping market and a pioneer of the circular economy, is a general platform offering new, used and refurbished products sold by professionals and private individuals. Guided by an optimistic retail vision and benefiting from the most generous loyalty program in French e-commerce, Club R, Rakuten increases the purchasing power of over 12 million members with a unique cashback model for online purchases.

Through its numerous online services, Rakuten France also supports over 10,000 professional sellers and partners in their digitalization. One such service is the Rakuten Fulfillment Network, launched in 2022, which provides partners with access to a global network of experts providing the simplest, most efficient and cost-effective answer to their logistics requirements.

About Rakuten TV
Rakuten TV is one of the leading streaming platforms on the market Europe combining TVOD (transactional video on demand), AVOD (advertising video on demand) and FAST (ad-supported free streaming TV) channels to provide users with a content universe that makes all their entertainment easier.

The TVOD service offers an authentic cinematic experience with the latest releases available for purchase or rental in high-quality audio and video. The advertising-supported offer includes AVOD and FAST services. The AVOD service offers over 10,000 titles available on demand, including films, documentaries and series from Hollywood and local studios, as well as a catalog of original and exclusive content. The FAST service includes a wide range of over 500 unique channels, including 100 owned and operated (O&O) channels nationwide. Europe, including free linear channels of global networks, leading European broadcasters and media groups, as well as the platform’s own thematic channels with selected content. Rakuten TV is available in 43 European territories and currently reaches over 150 million households via the branded remote control button and pre-installed app on Smart TV devices.

About Rakuten International
Rakuten International is a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., a Japanese global technology leader in services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Headquarters in San Mateo, California With over 4,000 employees worldwide, Rakuten International’s business portfolio includes market leaders in e-commerce, digital marketing, advertising, communications and entertainment. We create products and services that deliver exceptional value by connecting members and the companies that want to engage them in a shared community.

Media contacts

Rakuten France
Flora Louvet
(email protected)

Rakuten Television
Fabian Cumio
(email protected)

International Rakuten
Shawn Roberts
(email protected)

Rakuten Group, Inc.
Mark Mowbray
(email protected)

SOURCE Rakuten International