Julie Pizzi, President of Bunim/Murray Productions
US unscripted studio Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP), a Banijay company, has solidified its leadership team under President Julie Pizzi, with promotions for several executives and new additions to the senior ranks. In detail, Dani Wassel, who has been with the California-based unscripted production company for 11 years, has been upped to executive VP of Business and Legal Affairs, while Erica Ross was elevated to SVP of Development, Jacob Lane was elevated to VP of Post Creative and Steve Ezell has rejoined the company as VP of Current Programming.
At the same time, Michael Driscoll has been named Director of Development, and Luc Tousignant and Jake D’Onofrio have both been appointed as Directors of Creative Development. All of the promotions were announced by Pizzi, who was named President of Bunim/Murray Productions in February following the departure of former Chairman and CEO, Gil Goldschein.
“We have incredible talent at BMP and we endeavor to keep the momentum of our success by promoting individuals who have been responsible for creating, developing, producing and editing signature series for our label,” Pizzi commented.
● BANIJAY RIGHTS REKINDLES “MASTERCHEF SOUTH AFRICA”
In other company-related news, Banijay Rights today confirmed the return of global cookery hit “MasterChef” to M-Net in South Africa, following a seven-year hiatus. Produced by Homebrew Films, “MasterChef South Africa” has started casting for a new season that will launch in February 2022, having last aired on the channel in 2015.
“MasterChef South Africa” returns to inspire and shape the next generation of food stars. Season four will be filmed at the foot of Table Mountain, in a dynamic new location that celebrates both the heritage and the most innovative of South Africa’s diverse culinary offering. Here, 20 amateur cooks will be pushed beyond the boundaries of their skill set in a transformative journey, encouraged and guided by three accomplished judges and guest chefs that have all left their mark on the culinary landscape of this unique country at the tip of the African continent.
“It will be seven years off air by the time ‘MasterChef South Africa’ season four airs next February, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with M-Net and Homebrew Films to bring this global phenomenon back to South African audiences. This is yet another example of the ever-lasting appeal of the ‘MasterChef’ format that continues to deliver creativity and culinary excellence to viewers worldwide,” said Robin Pollok, VP Sales, Africa, Middle East, Greece & Israel at Banijay Rights.