Dutch public broadcasters NPO, AVROTROS and NOS have appointed four core team members for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest: two Executive Producers and two Deputy Executive Producers.

A month after Duncan Laurence's victory at the 64th Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, the Executive Producers of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands have been appointed: Sietse Bakker will take the role of Executive Producer Event, and Inge van de Weerd will be Executive Producer TV. They will work closely with two deputy Executive Producers: Emilie Sickinghe and Jessica Stam.

Sietse Bakker joins as Executive Producer Event

Sietse Bakker worked for many years as Online Manager and Communication Manager for the Eurovision Song Contest, and spent six years as the Contest's Event Supervisor for the EBU. He was also Executive Supervisor of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for two years, when the 10th edition of the event was held in Amsterdam in 2012. "We want to create a Eurovision Song Contest that surprises Europe in a positive way, something that everyone in The Netherlands can identify themselves with and be proud of. We have set the bar high, but there is so much talent and creativity in The Netherlands that I am confident that it is possible. The ambition of this team to really make something special out of this, together with the chosen host city or region, is great!" Sietse said on behalf of the team.

Sietse Bakker is the Executive Producer Event of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest (© NPO/Michel Schnater)

Inge van de Weerd will be Executive Producer TV

Inge van de Weerd has been working at NOS since 1995 and for more than 10 years has been Executive Producer on NOS productions for Prince's Day, parliamentary elections, and National Commemorations. She was also involved in major national events such as the Royal Wedding of Willem-Alexander and Maxima, and promotions for Giro555. From 2007 to 2009, she was Head of Delegation for the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest. Regarding the task ahead, Inge said: "We have a lot of experience at NOS on large live TV productions, but this event is exceptional. It's going to be an amazing challenge bringing professionals from public broadcasting and the creative industry together to show what we have to offer in The Netherlands."

Inge van de Weerd is the Executive Producer TV of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest (© NPO/Michel Schnater)

Emilie Sickinghe and Jessica Stam appointed deputy Executive Producers

Emilie Sickinghe has worked at AVROTROS since 2006 as a Producer/compiler of various music programmes, and since 2010 as the Dutch Head of Delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest. Emilie sees winning the Eurovision Song Contest and the associated organisation of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest as a once in a lifetime experience.

Jessica Stam has been working as a freelancer for NOS Events for many years which included large and special projects such as 3FM Serious Request, the Koningsvaart, the National Remembrance of MH17, National Veterans Day, Alpe d'HuZes and Prinsjesdag. She was also Executive Producer for 538 Koningsdag (Breda), the Songfestival Sing Along in the Ziggodome (for SBS / Sanoma) and various other concerts & productions. Her life motto is 'do what your heart is going to sing' which fits well with the project ahead of her.

The core team of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest will focus on the production start-up in the coming weeks, during which choosing a host city and venue quickly is essential. Various cities and regions are now working on bid books to host the event. An announcement on the Host City is expected in August. The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest will be organised by EBU Members NPO, AVROTROS and NOS, together with the EBU.