Endemol Shine USA Unveils Unscripted Team

Endemol Shine USA, the unscripted U.S. division of Endemol Shine North America, has finalized its new programming team, including naming Linda Giambrone as EVP and head of unscripted production and Georgie Hurford-Jones as SVP, unscripted programming.

The new structure is a result of the joint venture that brings together the Endemol USA and Shine America unscripted teams. Endemol Shine North America’s unscripted programming includes Big Brother (CBS), MasterChef and MasterChef Junior (Fox), The Biggest Loser (NBC), Wipeout (ABC), Restaurant Startup (CNBC), Fake Off (TruTV), Aloha Vet (Nat Geo Wild), nationally syndicated series Steve Harvey, as well as new summer broadcast programs Bullseye (Fox) and The Island (NBC).

“Along with Rob Smith, our EVP and head of unscripted television, we have assembled a truly stellar team of producers and production executives at Endemol Shine USA, many of whom are already hard at work on our existing hit franchises and also developing what we believe will be the next wave of unscripted hits,” says Eden Gaha, president, unscripted television, Endemol Shine USA.

PRODUCTION

Giambrone, who was formerly EVP and head of production for shine america, will now oversee all unscripted production efforts for Endemol Shine USA. Giambrone, who had served as Shine America’s top unscripted production executive since June 2011, is an Emmy-nominated producer and production executive whose credits include oversight of variety, talk, news, game, live events and reality series. Prior to joining Shine America, Giambrone was the SVP of BBC Worldwide Productions, where she was responsible for the company’s unscripted programming initiatives, including the successful launch of Dancing With The Stars on ABC.

Rob Day, who had been EVP of production for Endemol USA, will continue in his role for Endemol Shine USA, overseeing production on daytime syndicated series Steve Harvey, Bullseye and special projects for the company.

Rachel Dax, who formerly was VP, production for Shine America, has been promoted to SVP, unscripted production, Endemol Shine USA, reporting to Giambrone. Dax will oversee all day-to-day production for Endemol Shine USA’s unscripted programming, including The Island, Aloha Vet, among many other series. Prior to joining Shine America, Dax was head of production for High Noon Entertainment’s West Coast operations.

PROGRAMMING

Prior to joining Endemol Shine, Hurford-Jones oversaw NBC’s America’s Got Talent after launching ITV’s BAFTA Award-winning Britain’s Got Talent, while serving as SVP of Simon Cowell’s Syco TV. Hurford-Jones was also formerly in charge of ITV’s award-winning UK series, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

Robin Feinberg has been also been named SVP, unscripted programming for Endemol Shine USA. Feinberg, who was formerly VP, unscripted programming for Shine America, will continue to oversee day-to-day programming efforts for such series as Fake Off, Restaurant Startup and Aloha Vet. Feinberg has a wide-range of experience across different programming genres including documentary, challenge, makeover and game shows. Her producer credits include Legally Blonde, The Biggest Loser, Ultimate Cake Off, For Love or Money and Sorority Life.

Michael Brooks, who was previously SVP, programming, Shine America, will continue serving in that role for Endemol Shine USA. Brooks is currently overseeing programming efforts for The Biggest Loser and The Island. 

DEVELOPMENT

Producer and show-runner Michael Weinberg has been promoted to SVP, development. Weinberg, who was formerly VP, unscripted development for Endemol USA, has overseen development the syndicated Steve Harvey, Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution (FOX), Bullseye and numerous other series. Prior to joining Endemol, Weinberg played an integral role in the launches of Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Later with Bob Costas and also served as a co-executive producer of America’s Got Talent.

Weinberg works alongside Chris Culvenor, who was previously SVP, unscripted development at Shine America and now serves in the same capacity for Endemol Shine USA. Culvenor recently developed such series as Fake Off, Restaurant Startup and the U.S. adaptation of The Island. He joined Shine America in 2012 from Shine Australia, where as head of development, he oversaw the launch of Australian formats of MasterChef, The Biggest Loser and The Voice, among others.

Laura Gibson and Christopher Potts have both joined the Endemol Shine USA team as VPs of unscripted development, reporting to Culvenor. Gibson joins from AOC Productions, where she was formerly head of development, overseeing both entertainment formats and scripted programming. Gibson’s other former positions include creative director, comedy entertainment, ITV Studios UK and head of entertainment development for Endemol Shine-owned Princess Productions in the U.K.

Potts comes to Endemol Shine from Lionsgate’s Banca Studio, where he was VP, development, overseeing development on shows including Celebrity Liar (CW), and Christina Milian: Turned Up (E!). Previously, Potts was head of development for NBC Universal’s Monkey Kingdom, where he co-created and developed the BAFTA-winning series Made in Chelsea and also served as a development executive for Endemol Shine-owned Tiger Aspect.