Reality TV producer Bruce Toms died last weekend at the age of 55. Toms, who most recently was working on Bravo’s “Timber Creek Lodge,” died at his home in Pasadena, California on Dec. 25 due to natural causes, according to his reps at Wme. In addition to “Timber Creek Lodge,” Toms’ extensive list of credits include “Celebrity Wife Swap,” “Secret Millionaire,” “Wife Swap,” “The Judds,” “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” “Nanny 911,” “Paradise Hotel” and “Workout.” He received an Emmy nomination in 2001 for his work on MTV’s long-running “Road Rules” alongside Mary-Ellis Bunim, Jonathan Murray and Rick Telles. Also Read: 22 Most Groundbreaking.
- 12/30/2016
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Emmy-nominated reality television producer Bruce Toms passed away on December 25 in Pasadena, CA. He was 55. The exact cause of death is not being disclosed beyond the fact that he died of natural causes. At the time of his death, Toms was working as executive producer of Bravo's reality series Timber Creek Lodge. He previously served as an executive producer on such series as Celebrity Wife Swap, Secret Millionaire, Wife Swap, The Judds, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, Nan…...
- 12/30/2016
- Deadline TV
UK-based Plimsoll Productions will have offices in Bristol and London with a focus on reality and wildlife programming for both UK and American broadcasters. Grant Mansfield will serve as Chief Executive, with Gavin Henderson as creative director, Martha Holmes as executive producer (Wildlife), Kate Beetham as executive producer (Factual) and Christine Owen as managing director. All will report directly to Mansfield. Mansfield most recently served as CEO of Los Angeles-based Zodiak USA where he executive produced Secret Millionaire, Celebrity Wife Swap, Hardcore Pawn and Killer Karaoke. Prior to his U.S. role, Mansfield served as Managing Director of London-based Rdf, where he developed and produced formats Ladette To Lady, Holiday Showdown, Oz And James Big Wine Adventure, Gene Simmons Rock School and Dickinson’s Real Deal.
- 9/25/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Zodiak USA CEO Natalka Znak will be leaving her post. She will exit at the end of March, when her contract expires. Znak's departure is amicable, and the company did not name a replacement. "Natalka has been a fantastic producer and leader for us over the past three years. We're sorry to see her go and wish her the best in her future endeavors," said Zodiak Americas CEO Jonathan Slow. Znak was officially named CEO of Zodiak USA in July, overseeing the company’s production offices in Los Angeles and New York and managing a slate that included ABC’s Secret Millionaire
read more...
read more...
- 3/8/2013
- by Philiana Ng
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Zodiak Media is consolidating its production businesses in North, Central and South America to mirror its structure at its 45 other production outfits in 20 territories worldwide. The newly formed Zodiak Americas, announced today, is is part of a longer-term plan to increase the production company’s focus and investments in the region and will be spearheaded by Zodiak Media COO Jonny Slow, who will relocate from London to La to become Zodiak Americas CEO. He will work closely with new Zodiak USA CEO Natalka Znak, who was promoted to the post last month and oversees a U.S. programming slate that includes ABC series Secret Millionaire and Celebrity Wife Swap and truTV’s two highest-rated series, Hardcore Pawn and Lizard Lick Towing. He also will work alongside Zodiak Latino CEO Harris Whitbeck and Zodiak Brazil CEO Carla Affonso. “This move is a demonstration of the importance of these geographic markets to...
- 7/12/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Zodiak Media is launching an Americas division with the company’s COO Johnny Slow tapped as Zodiak Americas’ chief executive. Photos: 9 Highest Paid Entertainment CEOs The consolidation combines Zodiak's existing production businesses in North, Central and South America, and will require Slow to relocate from London to Los Angeles to oversee the increased investment in the region. The news comes mere weeks after Natalka Znak was named CEO of Zodiak USA, best known stateside for such unscripted efforts as ABC’s Secret Millionaire, Celebrity Wife Swap and truTV’s Hardcore Pawn. “This move is a demonstration of the importance of these geographic
read more...
read more...
- 7/12/2012
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBC’s Ready For Love matchmaking show is now under Iatse contract after coming to terms to avoid a threatened work stoppage, according to the union’s Facebook page. The union said producer Ticking Time Productions has signed an agreement providing for health and pension benefits retroactive to hiring dates for roughly 100 crew members who will also have “enhanced turnaround and weekend turnaround provisions.” According to the show’s website, it’s produced by Renegade 83, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment and Universal Television. Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives), Jason Ehrlich (The Bachelor, The Bachelorette), Greg Goldman (Secret Millionaire, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!), David Garfinkle and Jay Renfroe (both of Blind Date, The 5th Wheel) serve as executive producers on Ready For Love.
- 7/1/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Natalka Znak is officially taking the helm at Zodiak USA. In the new position, Znak will oversee the company’s production offices in both Los Angeles and New York and manage a programming slate that includes ABC’s Secret Millionaire and Celebrity Wife Swap and truTV’s Hardcore Pawn. The news comes three months after Grant Mansfield announced he’d be stepping down to return to his native U.K. Photos: 17 New Shows Premiering in 2012 "I plan to expand my creative team both here and in New York and make sure we're always out there with the biggest, the best and
read more...
read more...
- 6/21/2012
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Zodiak USA’s Chief Creative Office Natalka Znak has been promoted to CEO. She succeeds Zodiak USA CEO Grant Mansfield who is leaving the company this month to return to his native U.K. after two years at the helm of Rdf USA and then Zodiak USA, following Zodiak Media’s June 2010 acquisition of Rdf. In her new position, Znak will oversee Zodiak USA’s production offices in New York and Los Angeles and will manage a programming slate that includes Secret Millionaire (ABC), Celebrity Wife Swap (ABC) and truTV’s two highest rated series, Hardcore Pawn and Lizard Lick Towing. “Natalka is a force of nature and an inspiring creative – she thinks big and isn’t afraid to take a risk,”Zodiak Media CEO David Frank said. Znak’s appointment as Evp of then-Rdf USA was announced in late 2009. She moved to the U.S. from her native...
- 6/21/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Betty White has signed to star in a new NBC reality show. NBC announced on Thursday that White has signed to host and executive produce Betty White's Off Their Rockers, described as a "hidden-camera comedy show". The network has ordered 12 episodes of the half-hour series, backed by Secret Millionaire producer Chris Coelen. Off Their Rockers - based on the European hidden camera series Benidorm B**tards - will feature a group of senior citizens playing pranks on young people. "People have been telling me that I'm 'off my rocker' for years - now I can prove it," (more)...
- 3/31/2011
- by By Mike Moody
- Digital Spy
Filed under: TV Replay
'Secret Millionaire' (Sun., 8Pm Et on ABC) may be about people with a lot of money reaching out and touching lives, but the bigger draw is often those people and organizations who don't have much at all reaching out anyway.
This week's millionaire was John Ferber, a successful internet advertiser. He spent a week in Los Angeles's Skid Row. Though he had a modest place to sleep, he did spend many of his days on the streets with the homeless.
On those streets, he met Amin, a man who spends his own time giving to those around him. While Ferber was shadowing him, they saw a man walking by wearing shoes that were absolutely covered with excrement. Without a moment's hesitation, Amin took off his own shoes and gave them to the man.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments...
'Secret Millionaire' (Sun., 8Pm Et on ABC) may be about people with a lot of money reaching out and touching lives, but the bigger draw is often those people and organizations who don't have much at all reaching out anyway.
This week's millionaire was John Ferber, a successful internet advertiser. He spent a week in Los Angeles's Skid Row. Though he had a modest place to sleep, he did spend many of his days on the streets with the homeless.
On those streets, he met Amin, a man who spends his own time giving to those around him. While Ferber was shadowing him, they saw a man walking by wearing shoes that were absolutely covered with excrement. Without a moment's hesitation, Amin took off his own shoes and gave them to the man.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments...
- 3/28/2011
- by Jason Hughes
- Aol TV.
On Sunday ABC premiered its new philanthropic reality series Secret Millionaire. A conceptual cousin to Undercover Boss, each episode features a member of the super-rich going undercover to scout out charities for possible televised donations. Needless to say, I have mixed feelings about the show, which formerly aired on Fox in 2008. While it’s admirable that ABC is giving deserving non-profit organizations much-needed publicity that they wouldn’t receive otherwise, the narrative impulse of the series—based largely around rich folks encountering the less fortunate—reveals much about how lacking our national dialogue on poverty remains.
We all know that...
We all know that...
- 3/7/2011
- by Christian Blauvelt
- EW.com - PopWatch
Coming to you this Sunday is another installment in the reality TV "feel good" series. Secret Millionaire takes you along for the ride as a millionaire searches for someone deserving of a large donation. Each week a new millionaire will embark on an adventure that showcases the needy, and will hope to not only connect with the "other side" of life, but run into someone trying to do great work who could use a benefactor.
In a style similar to Undercover Boss, we get to march along as the tremendously wealthy take a spin in the trenches, and along the way we are subject to the emotional pull of the downtrodden, and the curious joy of charity by proxy.
There is a special appeal in watching the rich come face to face with "real" people, and the circumstances of "real" life, though this appeal is largely lost in the series opener,...
In a style similar to Undercover Boss, we get to march along as the tremendously wealthy take a spin in the trenches, and along the way we are subject to the emotional pull of the downtrodden, and the curious joy of charity by proxy.
There is a special appeal in watching the rich come face to face with "real" people, and the circumstances of "real" life, though this appeal is largely lost in the series opener,...
- 3/4/2011
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Berlin -- Red Arrow Entertainment Group, the production arm of European broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, has taken a 51% stake in Chris Coelen's Santa Monica-based shingle Kinetic Content.
Coelen, who oversaw shows such as "Wife Swap," "Secret Millionaire" and "The Price of Beauty" as CEO of Rdf Media USA, set up Kinetic in March. Before Rdf, Coelen was a partner at United Talent Agency, where his clients included Ryan Seacrest and Jessica Simpson.
Coelen took several Rdf execs with him when he launched Kinetic, among them Jennifer Danska, Gerald Massimei and Katie Griffin as well as ex-bbc producer Matilda Zoltowski, part of the team that launched "Dancing With the Stars" in the U.S. Kinetic has exclusive programming ventures with U.K. nets Channel 4 and Stv.
Red Arrow, launched in January, is quickly setting up an international production network to feed ProSieben's pan-European network of channels. The group has a two-year...
Coelen, who oversaw shows such as "Wife Swap," "Secret Millionaire" and "The Price of Beauty" as CEO of Rdf Media USA, set up Kinetic in March. Before Rdf, Coelen was a partner at United Talent Agency, where his clients included Ryan Seacrest and Jessica Simpson.
Coelen took several Rdf execs with him when he launched Kinetic, among them Jennifer Danska, Gerald Massimei and Katie Griffin as well as ex-bbc producer Matilda Zoltowski, part of the team that launched "Dancing With the Stars" in the U.S. Kinetic has exclusive programming ventures with U.K. nets Channel 4 and Stv.
Red Arrow, launched in January, is quickly setting up an international production network to feed ProSieben's pan-European network of channels. The group has a two-year...
- 9/2/2010
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Three months after taking the reins of Rdf USA as CEO, Grant Mansfield is restructuring operations at the company's main Los Angeles office.
In the new setup, development and current will be handled through separate departments overseen by Natalka Znak.
Top ITV entertainment executive Znak, who joined Rdf in December as executive vp and head of development, has been named chief creative officer. She reports to Mansfield.
Claire O'Donohoe and Mike Duffy will head the two departments as executive vp current and executive vp development, respectively. They will report to Znak.
"With this new structure, we're aiming to streamline the process, establishing a one-stop shop where we create, develop and produce all our shows in-house," Mansfield said.
The previous structure at Rdf USA under former CEO Chris Coelen featured several senior executives handling development and current.
Before Rdf, Znak spent 18 years at ITV, where she helped create and produce such...
In the new setup, development and current will be handled through separate departments overseen by Natalka Znak.
Top ITV entertainment executive Znak, who joined Rdf in December as executive vp and head of development, has been named chief creative officer. She reports to Mansfield.
Claire O'Donohoe and Mike Duffy will head the two departments as executive vp current and executive vp development, respectively. They will report to Znak.
"With this new structure, we're aiming to streamline the process, establishing a one-stop shop where we create, develop and produce all our shows in-house," Mansfield said.
The previous structure at Rdf USA under former CEO Chris Coelen featured several senior executives handling development and current.
Before Rdf, Znak spent 18 years at ITV, where she helped create and produce such...
- 3/23/2010
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Singer Jessica Simpson hosts the new VH1 TV series "Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty", debuting Monday, March 15, produced by Rdf USA ("Wife Swap", "Secret Millionaire").
"...Jessica travels to Japan, Thailand, France, Brazil, Uganda, Morocco, and India then back home to Los Angeles to meet every day women and some local pop culture icons. She examines the local fashions, dietary fads and beauty regimes and even participates in some extreme practices in order to reveal what constitutes beauty in these foreign cultures..."
A sneak peek of the season's first episode will air on VH1.com, Friday, March 12.
"Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty" is executive produced by Chris Coelen and Claire O'Donohoe for Rdf USA. Jessica Simpson and Joe Simpson also serve as executive producers. Executive producing for VH1 are Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes, and Sean Boyle...
"...Jessica travels to Japan, Thailand, France, Brazil, Uganda, Morocco, and India then back home to Los Angeles to meet every day women and some local pop culture icons. She examines the local fashions, dietary fads and beauty regimes and even participates in some extreme practices in order to reveal what constitutes beauty in these foreign cultures..."
A sneak peek of the season's first episode will air on VH1.com, Friday, March 12.
"Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty" is executive produced by Chris Coelen and Claire O'Donohoe for Rdf USA. Jessica Simpson and Joe Simpson also serve as executive producers. Executive producing for VH1 are Jeff Olde, Jill Holmes, and Sean Boyle...
- 3/2/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Veteran British TV executive Grant Mansfield has been named CEO of RDF Media USA.
He replaces Chris Coelen, who exited in December after four years.
Mansfield, who has been with RDF in the U.K. for the past seven years, will move to Los Angeles, working out of RDF USA's main stateside office. He starts this month.
In addition to his new responsibilities at Rdf USA, Mansfield will continue as RDF's group director of factual, entertainment and comedy -- a post to which he was recently promoted -- working with U.K. broadcasters.
"Grant brings an immense amount of experience to our U.S. business at a very important time," Rdf Media Group CEO David Frank said. "The U.S. remains a top priority for us as a group, and I believe this appointment will help us build on the considerable successes we've had in the world's most valuable TV market.
He replaces Chris Coelen, who exited in December after four years.
Mansfield, who has been with RDF in the U.K. for the past seven years, will move to Los Angeles, working out of RDF USA's main stateside office. He starts this month.
In addition to his new responsibilities at Rdf USA, Mansfield will continue as RDF's group director of factual, entertainment and comedy -- a post to which he was recently promoted -- working with U.K. broadcasters.
"Grant brings an immense amount of experience to our U.S. business at a very important time," Rdf Media Group CEO David Frank said. "The U.S. remains a top priority for us as a group, and I believe this appointment will help us build on the considerable successes we've had in the world's most valuable TV market.
- 1/4/2010
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
RDF Media USA CEO Chris Coelen is leaving the company after four years.
The news was announced internally Thursday morning.
Coelen's exit comes as a surprise since he helped build Rdf's U.S. outpost into a formidable supplier for the past four years.
He had significantly expanded operations with a string of hires of senior executives over the past year, most recently leading ITV entertainment executive Natalka Znak, the co-creator and executive producer of ITV1 reality hits "Hell's Kitchen" and "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" whose appointment as executive vp at RDF USA was announced Thursday morning, hours before Coelen's resignation.
Under Coelen, RDF Media USA, the company behind ABC's veteran "Wife Swap," has produced such reality series as "Secret Millionaire" and "Don't Forget the Lyrics" for Fox, "Find My Family" for ABC, as well as cable shows "Addicted to Beauty," "How to Look Good Naked" and...
The news was announced internally Thursday morning.
Coelen's exit comes as a surprise since he helped build Rdf's U.S. outpost into a formidable supplier for the past four years.
He had significantly expanded operations with a string of hires of senior executives over the past year, most recently leading ITV entertainment executive Natalka Znak, the co-creator and executive producer of ITV1 reality hits "Hell's Kitchen" and "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" whose appointment as executive vp at RDF USA was announced Thursday morning, hours before Coelen's resignation.
Under Coelen, RDF Media USA, the company behind ABC's veteran "Wife Swap," has produced such reality series as "Secret Millionaire" and "Don't Forget the Lyrics" for Fox, "Find My Family" for ABC, as well as cable shows "Addicted to Beauty," "How to Look Good Naked" and...
- 12/10/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rdf Media and top media agency Omnicom Media Group are partnering to create branded programming.
Omg's 5-year-old branded entertainment unit, Full Circle Entertainment, will become a venture between Rdf Media USA and Omg. Rdf will be the majority stakeholder in Fce and will run it as an independent company under its umbrella. Fce will continue to be headed by CEO Robert Riesenberg, a branded entertainment veteran, who will report to Chris Coelen, CEO of Rdf Media USA.
Under the pact, Rdf/Fce will become Omg's exclusive content-creation partner in all areas except for sports and minority programming.
Fce will continue to develop and produce content tailored to meet the needs of advertisers within or outside of Omg but now will take advantage of Rdf's programming resources.
"For Full Circle Entertainment to continue to thrive, I've always felt that in addition to the fantastic Omg relationship, we needed to align ourselves with an established company,...
Omg's 5-year-old branded entertainment unit, Full Circle Entertainment, will become a venture between Rdf Media USA and Omg. Rdf will be the majority stakeholder in Fce and will run it as an independent company under its umbrella. Fce will continue to be headed by CEO Robert Riesenberg, a branded entertainment veteran, who will report to Chris Coelen, CEO of Rdf Media USA.
Under the pact, Rdf/Fce will become Omg's exclusive content-creation partner in all areas except for sports and minority programming.
Fce will continue to develop and produce content tailored to meet the needs of advertisers within or outside of Omg but now will take advantage of Rdf's programming resources.
"For Full Circle Entertainment to continue to thrive, I've always felt that in addition to the fantastic Omg relationship, we needed to align ourselves with an established company,...
- 3/22/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lauren Gellert has joined Rdf USA as senior vp in the company's New York office.
She will be responsible for developing unscripted series and specials for broadcast and cable, working alongside Charles Tremayne on the East Coast and Greg Goldman, Mike Duffy and Sara Hansemann in the Los Angeles office. She will report to Rdf USA's CEO, Chris Coelen.
"It's a huge coup for us to get Lauren on our team -- not only is she highly regarded within the industry, but she also has a unique pop sensibility that's a perfect fit for us," Coelen said.
Gellert comes to Rdf from truTV, where she was head of development and vp alternative programming and played an important role in the channel's evolution from Court TV to truTV. She shepherded such series as "Most Shocking," "Speeders" and "Black Gold" and handled development on "Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel" and "Speeders Fight Back.
She will be responsible for developing unscripted series and specials for broadcast and cable, working alongside Charles Tremayne on the East Coast and Greg Goldman, Mike Duffy and Sara Hansemann in the Los Angeles office. She will report to Rdf USA's CEO, Chris Coelen.
"It's a huge coup for us to get Lauren on our team -- not only is she highly regarded within the industry, but she also has a unique pop sensibility that's a perfect fit for us," Coelen said.
Gellert comes to Rdf from truTV, where she was head of development and vp alternative programming and played an important role in the channel's evolution from Court TV to truTV. She shepherded such series as "Most Shocking," "Speeders" and "Black Gold" and handled development on "Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel" and "Speeders Fight Back.
- 1/7/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox's new reality effort "Secret Millionaire" performed much better than expected Wednesday night, suggesting that the short-run altruistic series could have a future on the network.
The evening's two episodes of "Millionaire" averaged 7.4 million viewers and a 2.6 rating/7 share in the adults 18-49 demographic. Although not huge numbers, the premiere was only modestly promoted and aired in December -- when new programs typically have a tough time attracting audiences -- so Fox's expectations were low. The show is considered a softhearted departure from the network's usual reality brand of more competition-oriented and envelope-pushing fare.
Yet the "Millionaire" audience grew each half-hour, topping out at a 3.1 rating to beat ABC's "Private Practice" and CBS' "Grammy Nominations Concert Live" during the 9 p.m. hour.
"I'm thrilled and surprised a little bit," said Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative entertainment. "We're now at a point where we see a lot more potential."
There...
The evening's two episodes of "Millionaire" averaged 7.4 million viewers and a 2.6 rating/7 share in the adults 18-49 demographic. Although not huge numbers, the premiere was only modestly promoted and aired in December -- when new programs typically have a tough time attracting audiences -- so Fox's expectations were low. The show is considered a softhearted departure from the network's usual reality brand of more competition-oriented and envelope-pushing fare.
Yet the "Millionaire" audience grew each half-hour, topping out at a 3.1 rating to beat ABC's "Private Practice" and CBS' "Grammy Nominations Concert Live" during the 9 p.m. hour.
"I'm thrilled and surprised a little bit," said Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative entertainment. "We're now at a point where we see a lot more potential."
There...
- 12/4/2008
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox's new reality series "Secret Millionaire" performed much better than expected Wednesday night, winning the 9 p.m. hour. Full story...
- 12/4/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.