Leading entertainment format producer Claire O’Donohoe has joined Banijay U.K. as director of programs.
O’Donohoe will work closely with her long-time creative collaborator Natalka Znak, the newly appointed CEO of group companies Remarkable, Initial, and ZnakTV, a company Znak set up in 2021 after departing Sky-backed outfit Znak & Co.
O’Donohoe has some two decades of TV experience in the U.S. and U.K. She most recently served as a commissioner at Fox, and went on to be senior VP, head of current at Fox Alternative Entertainment Studios. While in these roles she was involved in commissioning and launching break out hits “The Masked Singer” and “I Can See Your Voice.”
At Banijay U.K. O’Donohoe will work with American buyers, bringing U.K. formats from the creative teams at Remarkable Entertainment, Initial and Znak TV to the U.S. market. She also has the responsibility of...
O’Donohoe will work closely with her long-time creative collaborator Natalka Znak, the newly appointed CEO of group companies Remarkable, Initial, and ZnakTV, a company Znak set up in 2021 after departing Sky-backed outfit Znak & Co.
O’Donohoe has some two decades of TV experience in the U.S. and U.K. She most recently served as a commissioner at Fox, and went on to be senior VP, head of current at Fox Alternative Entertainment Studios. While in these roles she was involved in commissioning and launching break out hits “The Masked Singer” and “I Can See Your Voice.”
At Banijay U.K. O’Donohoe will work with American buyers, bringing U.K. formats from the creative teams at Remarkable Entertainment, Initial and Znak TV to the U.S. market. She also has the responsibility of...
- 2/7/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Fox exec Claire O’Donohoe, who helped launch The Masked Singer and I Can See Your Voice in the U.S., is to team up with her long-time creative collaborator Natalka Znak at Banijay.
O’Donohoe joins the European production giant as Director of Programmes, coming shortly after Love Island creator Znak became the CEO of Banijay labels Remarkable and Initial, while Banijay acquired her indie ZnakTV.
Based in the UK alongside Znak, O’Donohoe will work closely with U.S. buyers to pitch UK formats from the three labels, while being tasked with reinvigorating their legacy brands.
She has more than two decades of non-scripted TV experience, serving as both commissioner and Senior Vice President, Head of Current at Fox Alternative Entertainment Studios. While in these roles she was primarily involved in commissioning and launching breakout hits including The Masked Singer and I Can See Your Voice.
O’Donohoe also produced U.
O’Donohoe joins the European production giant as Director of Programmes, coming shortly after Love Island creator Znak became the CEO of Banijay labels Remarkable and Initial, while Banijay acquired her indie ZnakTV.
Based in the UK alongside Znak, O’Donohoe will work closely with U.S. buyers to pitch UK formats from the three labels, while being tasked with reinvigorating their legacy brands.
She has more than two decades of non-scripted TV experience, serving as both commissioner and Senior Vice President, Head of Current at Fox Alternative Entertainment Studios. While in these roles she was primarily involved in commissioning and launching breakout hits including The Masked Singer and I Can See Your Voice.
O’Donohoe also produced U.
- 2/7/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fox is getting the ball rolling on its own dating format aspirations.
The network is piloting Masquerade Ball, a non-scripted entertainment format from Natalka Znak’s ZnakTV and Fox Alternative Entertainment.
The one-hour dating competition gives singles the opportunity to escape their regular lives and enter a period when romance was formal, dressing up was compulsory and the search for love was a serious affair.
In Masquerade Ball, there is no swiping or liking, rather singles must rely on their own wit and charm. Because, in this world, it’s who you are and not what you look like that really matters. It’s all about chemistry, body language and conversation. The centerpiece of every episode is the decadent Masquerade Ball, where our singles have just a few fleeting moments on the dance floor to impress. Can they make these brief conversations count in their efforts to find the...
The network is piloting Masquerade Ball, a non-scripted entertainment format from Natalka Znak’s ZnakTV and Fox Alternative Entertainment.
The one-hour dating competition gives singles the opportunity to escape their regular lives and enter a period when romance was formal, dressing up was compulsory and the search for love was a serious affair.
In Masquerade Ball, there is no swiping or liking, rather singles must rely on their own wit and charm. Because, in this world, it’s who you are and not what you look like that really matters. It’s all about chemistry, body language and conversation. The centerpiece of every episode is the decadent Masquerade Ball, where our singles have just a few fleeting moments on the dance floor to impress. Can they make these brief conversations count in their efforts to find the...
- 4/19/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Natalka Znak, who recently produced Fox competition series Ultimate Tag, is setting up a new venture.
She has set up Znak TV after leaving her previous Sky-backed production company Znak & Co.
Deadline understands she is in the early stages of putting together the company, which will have boots on the ground in LA, where she is based, and London, where she has produced a number of series.
It comes after she parted ways with the Comcast-backed Sky Studios, which last week, launched Transistor Films with Danny Tipping, who was previously head of factual at Znak & Co.
Znak, who separately continues to serve as showrunner for Fox entertainment series MasterChef and MasterChef Jr., has also retained her Znak & Co. IP following the move. She is currently working on an unannounced series with YouTube.
Under Znak & Co., she produced three series for Fox including Ultimate Tag, which launched last May,...
She has set up Znak TV after leaving her previous Sky-backed production company Znak & Co.
Deadline understands she is in the early stages of putting together the company, which will have boots on the ground in LA, where she is based, and London, where she has produced a number of series.
It comes after she parted ways with the Comcast-backed Sky Studios, which last week, launched Transistor Films with Danny Tipping, who was previously head of factual at Znak & Co.
Znak, who separately continues to serve as showrunner for Fox entertainment series MasterChef and MasterChef Jr., has also retained her Znak & Co. IP following the move. She is currently working on an unannounced series with YouTube.
Under Znak & Co., she produced three series for Fox including Ultimate Tag, which launched last May,...
- 3/22/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
WME’s Melissa Myers Joins Chris Coelen’s Kinetic Content To Lead Expansion Into Scripted Programming
Exclusive: Former WME Partner and literary agent Melissa Myers has been named President and Partner of a new venture between Kinetic Content founder and CEO Chris Coelen, and Red Arrow Studios, the production division of European media company ProSiebenSat.1.
This marks an expansion into scripted for Red Arrow Studios company Kinetic, a reality powerhouse behind such series as relationship mega hits Love Is Blind for Netflix and Married At First Sight for Lifetime, both created and executive produced by Coelen.
The venture is set to focus on premium high-end English-language scripted TV series with both domestic and global appeal.
English-speaking scripted content has been important to Red Arrow’s production and distribution business, as well as German TV networks like those owned by ProSieben. Germany traditionally has been one of the top markets for U.S. scripted series. The venture also will tap into Red Arrow’s resources and Coelen and Myers’ relationships internationally.
This marks an expansion into scripted for Red Arrow Studios company Kinetic, a reality powerhouse behind such series as relationship mega hits Love Is Blind for Netflix and Married At First Sight for Lifetime, both created and executive produced by Coelen.
The venture is set to focus on premium high-end English-language scripted TV series with both domestic and global appeal.
English-speaking scripted content has been important to Red Arrow’s production and distribution business, as well as German TV networks like those owned by ProSieben. Germany traditionally has been one of the top markets for U.S. scripted series. The venture also will tap into Red Arrow’s resources and Coelen and Myers’ relationships internationally.
- 8/19/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Paradigm agents Julie Choi and Sean Zeid have moved to Apa as Vice Presidents in the agency’s Alternative & Factual Programming division. The announcement was made today by Apa Executive Vice President, Partner and Department Head, Hayden K. Meyer, to whom they report.
“Apa and our division are proud to have Julie and Sean join our team,” said Meyer in making the announcement. “Their individual and collective passion, creativity, experience and relationships make them must-hires. They fit perfectly into Apa’s team-oriented culture, and together we’ll continue to accomplish great things for all our clients.”
A seasoned entertainment executive who built her agency career on her background as a producer and network executive, Choi’s clients include tWitch (The Ellen DeGeneres Show), Ross Mathews, Kimberly Goodman, Jen Morton, and Michael Levitt.
Before pivoting to agent, Choi was Executive Director of Development and Programming at Gsn where she served as point person on hit series such as Skin Wars, Fresh Paint, Minute to Win It, Window Warriors, and Divided. Prior to Gsn, Choi was a producer on numerous unscripted series, including Dancing with the Stars, Big Brother, The Biggest Loser and Parental Control, and served as a creative development consultant for FremantleMedia, Bet and CW. She holds a Juris Doctor and a BA in Political Science from UCLA.
Zeid, an alum of Variety’s Reality Television Impact Report, most recently served as Senior Agent, Alternative Television at Paradigm. His clients include Gayle Gawlowski (Nailed It!), Will Spjut (Stay Here), Tamra Simmons (Surviving R. Kelly), Leslie Garvin (Secret Millionaire), Andrea Richter (Ink Master) and Melissa Haizlip, and Painless Productions (The Holzer Files). Zeid also has packaged numerous projects for his clients, including Believer, the HBO documentary from Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds.
Prior to Paradigm, Zeid spent seven years leading the reality division at Kaplan Stahler Agency, and began his agency career at Endeavor.
“Apa and our division are proud to have Julie and Sean join our team,” said Meyer in making the announcement. “Their individual and collective passion, creativity, experience and relationships make them must-hires. They fit perfectly into Apa’s team-oriented culture, and together we’ll continue to accomplish great things for all our clients.”
A seasoned entertainment executive who built her agency career on her background as a producer and network executive, Choi’s clients include tWitch (The Ellen DeGeneres Show), Ross Mathews, Kimberly Goodman, Jen Morton, and Michael Levitt.
Before pivoting to agent, Choi was Executive Director of Development and Programming at Gsn where she served as point person on hit series such as Skin Wars, Fresh Paint, Minute to Win It, Window Warriors, and Divided. Prior to Gsn, Choi was a producer on numerous unscripted series, including Dancing with the Stars, Big Brother, The Biggest Loser and Parental Control, and served as a creative development consultant for FremantleMedia, Bet and CW. She holds a Juris Doctor and a BA in Political Science from UCLA.
Zeid, an alum of Variety’s Reality Television Impact Report, most recently served as Senior Agent, Alternative Television at Paradigm. His clients include Gayle Gawlowski (Nailed It!), Will Spjut (Stay Here), Tamra Simmons (Surviving R. Kelly), Leslie Garvin (Secret Millionaire), Andrea Richter (Ink Master) and Melissa Haizlip, and Painless Productions (The Holzer Files). Zeid also has packaged numerous projects for his clients, including Believer, the HBO documentary from Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds.
Prior to Paradigm, Zeid spent seven years leading the reality division at Kaplan Stahler Agency, and began his agency career at Endeavor.
- 1/7/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Tommy Mottola is making a major move in television. The veteran music executive and producer has signed a multi-year, first-look deal with eOne to develop and executive produce scripted and unscripted TV programming via his Mottola Media Company. He already has sold his first project under the deal, scripted series Harlem High, which has been set up for development at Freeform with Will Smith, James Lassiter and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment also producing.
Under the eOne pact, Mottola has brought in Talpa Media USA’s Jennifer Danska as Evp at Mmc. eOne will serve as the studio and control worldwide rights for all projects produced by the partnership. Additionally, Mottola will serve as a consultant for eOne’s music and live entertainment business.
“Tommy is a zeitgeist force in the global music industry as well as Latino and urban entertainment and far beyond. His ability to identify pop-culture...
Under the eOne pact, Mottola has brought in Talpa Media USA’s Jennifer Danska as Evp at Mmc. eOne will serve as the studio and control worldwide rights for all projects produced by the partnership. Additionally, Mottola will serve as a consultant for eOne’s music and live entertainment business.
“Tommy is a zeitgeist force in the global music industry as well as Latino and urban entertainment and far beyond. His ability to identify pop-culture...
- 10/23/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Stormy Daniels, the porn star who claims to have had an affair with Donald Trump, and Cheers actress Kirstie Alley are some of the star names set to appear on the British version of Celebrity Big Brother as Viacom-owned broadcaster Channel 5.
The show, which is produced by Endemol Shine-backed Initial Productions, launches Thursday August 16. The network is theming this summer’s reality hit as The Eye of The Storm and is introducing housemates that have all been caught up in their own media controversies.
British tabloid The Sun reports that Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, is the show’s major get. The President of the United States of America will be hoping that the adult film star doesn’t reveal too much more during a possible reality TV stint.
She is reportedly joined by Scientologist Alley, who recently starred on Scream Queens.
Other, slightly less A-list names,...
The show, which is produced by Endemol Shine-backed Initial Productions, launches Thursday August 16. The network is theming this summer’s reality hit as The Eye of The Storm and is introducing housemates that have all been caught up in their own media controversies.
British tabloid The Sun reports that Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, is the show’s major get. The President of the United States of America will be hoping that the adult film star doesn’t reveal too much more during a possible reality TV stint.
She is reportedly joined by Scientologist Alley, who recently starred on Scream Queens.
Other, slightly less A-list names,...
- 8/14/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Meghan Markle’s half-sister Samantha Markle is reportedly being lined up to appear on the British version of Celebrity Big Brother as Viacom-owned broadcaster Channel 5 eyes a controversial theme.
The network is theming this summer’s reality hit as The Eye of The Storm and is expected to introduce housemates that have all been caught up in their own media controversies.
The entrance of Samantha Markle, otherwise known as Samantha Grant, would make perfect sense given her controversial views leading up to her half-sister’s wedding to Prince Harry. It emerged that she was responsible for setting up Markle’s father’s staged paparazzi photos and has also appeared on a number of British TV shows including Loose Women and Good Morning Britain, with Piers Morgan, to suggest that Harry would been better off marrying someone else.
The 53-year old claimed to have raised the Suits actress for...
The network is theming this summer’s reality hit as The Eye of The Storm and is expected to introduce housemates that have all been caught up in their own media controversies.
The entrance of Samantha Markle, otherwise known as Samantha Grant, would make perfect sense given her controversial views leading up to her half-sister’s wedding to Prince Harry. It emerged that she was responsible for setting up Markle’s father’s staged paparazzi photos and has also appeared on a number of British TV shows including Loose Women and Good Morning Britain, with Piers Morgan, to suggest that Harry would been better off marrying someone else.
The 53-year old claimed to have raised the Suits actress for...
- 7/20/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Congratulations are in order for Marcus Lemonis.
The Profit star, 44, wed Bobbi Raffel over the weekend, he confirmed to Page Six after teasing photos on his Instagram page.
“I cried,” he revealed to Page Six. “It was just a really special day. Nothing spectacular, very simple. It was just awesome.”
The CEO of Camping World, America’s largest Rv and outdoor retailer, also told Page Six that he met Raffel about two years ago, after purchasing a fashion business she previously owned.
Lemonis shared photos of the ceremony on social media — including images of the wedding bands, bouquet and outdoor venue.
The Profit star, 44, wed Bobbi Raffel over the weekend, he confirmed to Page Six after teasing photos on his Instagram page.
“I cried,” he revealed to Page Six. “It was just a really special day. Nothing spectacular, very simple. It was just awesome.”
The CEO of Camping World, America’s largest Rv and outdoor retailer, also told Page Six that he met Raffel about two years ago, after purchasing a fashion business she previously owned.
Lemonis shared photos of the ceremony on social media — including images of the wedding bands, bouquet and outdoor venue.
- 2/22/2018
- by Stephanie Petit
- PEOPLE.com
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