51 Minds Promotes Three Programming Execs

51 Minds Entertainment, a division of Endemol Shine North America, has promoted three executives on its development team, including Chris Kinsella, who was named EVP, development, it was announced Friday.

The studio also has promoted Jessica Bofshever to SVP, development and Hanan Abdelaal to VP, development. Moving forward, Kinsella will oversee all development initiatives for male-skewing and crime-focused networks, while Bofshever will lead development for pop culture and lifestyle-skewing outlets.

51 Minds Entertainment produces such series as Below Deck and Below Deck: Mediterranean (Bravo), Truck Night in America (History), The Grand Hustle (BET), T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle (VH1), as well as the upcoming Netflix film Beats and HGTV’s just announced new series Unspouse My House.

Kinsella, who is now EVP, development, has been with 51 Minds since 2010, most recently serving as SVP of development. He was named VP, development, at 51 Minds in 2014.

Kinsella started his professional career in the commercial industry, including four years with RSA USA Inc., where he worked on commercials and music videos for clients such as Nike, American Express and musical acts including Pink, The Strokes and Erykah Badu.

Before being named SVP, development, Bofshever had beenVP, development at 51 Minds since April 2016. She originally joined 51 Minds as director of development in 2014.

Prior to joining 51 Minds, Bofshever was the director of development for Good Clean Fun and she previously worked as a freelance producer on series inclueing Bachelorette and Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Bofshever began her television career at MTV Networks, where she worked in talent, casting and series development.

Abdelaal, who formerly was senior director of development, joined 51 Minds in the spring of 2016. Abdelaal reports to Bofshever and is focused on developing series for pop culture and lifestyle nets. She previously was at parent company Endemol Shine North America, where she helped develop and produce shows for ABC, Fox, AMC, VH1, E! and MTV.

Abdelaal began her television career at CBS in the on-air promotion department and Pilgrim Studios, where she worked in pre-production, post-production and production.