LAIKA Taps Amblin Exec for Entry into TV

LAIKA’s live-action division has named longtime Amblin Television executive Alex Maggioni as head of TV.

Maggioni served as Amblin Television’s senior VP and head of development from 2014 to 2023, shepherding more than 300 hours of programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms, including Halo (Paramount+), Masters of the Air (Apple), Tiny Toons (Max/Cartoon Network), Resident Alien (SyFy), Amazing Stories (Apple), Why We Hate (Discovery) and The Americans (FX). In addition, Maggioni spearheaded the acquisition and packaging on series projects, including All the Sinners Bleed (Netflix), Friends Like These (Amazon) and The Challenger (Amazon.)

Additionally, film industry veteran Zac Locke has been brought in as head of business affairs. Most recently, Locke was senior VP of business and legal affairs for Topic Studios. He is a former senior VP of business and legal affairs at Blumhouse Productions as well as VP of business and legal affairs at Participant Media.

“Alex is an incredible executive with impeccable taste, expertise and deep relationships built over decades in the business,” said Matt Levin, LAIKA’s president of live-action film and series, to whom Maggioni and Locke will report. “We deeply admired her most recent work at Amblin and could not imagine anyone better suited to lead us into this exciting new chapter in TV. Zac is that rare combination of creative dealmaker, strategic thinker and wonderful colleague. We are thrilled he’ll be bringing his rich and diverse experience, his deep passion for storytelling and his entrepreneurial drive across both our live action film and TV endeavors.”

“LAIKA has an incredible track record of creative excellence in the feature film space,” said Maggioni. “I can’t wait to work with the team to bring that same commitment to compelling, emotional and character-driven storytelling to the TV series format.”

“I’d always admired LAIKA from afar, specifically the studio’s dedication to story, artistry, and artisanship,” said Locke. “I’m thrilled to be part of the team to help imbue that DNA into creating bold, inventive and emotional live action film and television at such a special place.”