Monkey, part of NBCUniversal International, has promoted Executive Producer, Ollie Brack to Head of Alternative Programming based in LA.
Reporting into Managing Director, Samantha Lawrence and Creative Directors, Will Macdonald and David Granger, Brack will be tasked with Monkey’s further expansion in the US.
Brack will build on existing relationships with NBC and its networks such as Bravo and E!, new streaming service Peacock, Universal Television Alternative Studio and NBCUniversal Formats to create shows with global appeal. Under his leadership, funded development is already underway for a new series. Brack will also look to nurture fresh talent in the US and foster new opportunities outside of the NBCUniversal family.
Since joining in 2013, Brack has co-created and produced the award-winning hybrid reality-quiz show The Question Jury for Channel 4, which has since been adapted for Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic. He also co-created and produced two seasons of the RTS-nominated ITV2 hip-hop comedy show Don’t Hate the Playaz, which became the UK’s first TV series to feature an all-black, female panel last year.
He joined Monkey from Talkback Thames, where he worked on entertainment, comedy and scripted programming including Sweat The Small Stuff (BBC Three), Unzipped (BBC Three) and Lemon Aid (ITV).
Samantha Lawrence, Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled to announce Ollie’s promotion. This move demonstrates our hunger and ambition to further establish ourselves within the US market, and to create more ambitious talent-led shows and globally appealing formats.”
Ollie Brack commented: “This is a really exciting time for Monkey and I’m thrilled to be at the forefront of this venture. We already have some exciting prospects in the pipeline and being on the ground in LA will only add to our appeal with partners. This move will also truly embed us with our US family and allow us to develop new and innovative formats for domestic and international markets and platforms.”
Monkey has also expanded its UK roster of Executive Producers with the appointments of Andy Charles Smith and Nazleen Karim.
Charles Smith previously series produced BAFTA nominated Stand Up To Cancer and Naked Attraction for Channel 4, ITV’s Mel & Sue and Sky 1’s Got To Dance. He recently exec produced Monkey’s Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration special. He is also currently executive producing two talent led pilots in the UK.
Karim joins from ITV’s The Only Way Is Essex, having previously worked on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing and sister show It Takes Two, as well as E4’s Body Fixers, ITV’s Surprise Surprise with Holly Willoughby and Sky 1’s Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model. She now oversees long-running series Made in Chelsea, including mini-series such as Made in Chelsea: Buenos Aires, which was a ratings success on E4 over the Christmas period last year.
Staff Reporter
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