MGM Expands Unscripted TV Team

Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) has added to its unscripted television team led by Barry Poznick, president of unscripted television, and Mark Burnett, chairman of MGM’s Worldwide Television Group, with a trio of new hires.

Justin Dudek has been tapped to be MGM’s new senior VP of physical production for unscripted television. Dudek, who will report to Poznick and MGM President of Physical Production Peter Oillataguerre, will oversee all aspects of physical productions for the studio’s unscripted television titles. Dudek joins MGM from Electus, where he served as head of production and launched the company’s physical production arm.

Appointed to MGM’s VP of talent and casting for unscripted television development role is Zena Van Ackeron, who will report to Tricia Biggio, senior VP of unscripted television. In the position, Van Ackeren will oversee talent and casting for the studio’s unscripted television department. She joins MGM from NBCUniversal International Studios, where she was the head of the U.S. division of Monkey Kingdom.

Kitty Gambel, who will also report to Biggio, will serve as MGM’s VP of unscripted television development. In her role, Gambel will be responsible for developing and selling new shows across network, cable and digital platforms. She will also oversee the studio’s court shows. Prior to joining MGM, Gambel served as a development executive at 495 Productions for over seven years.

Poznick said: “We are thrilled to welcome Justin, Zena and Kitty to the MGM Television team, and I look forward to working with them as we continue to build on MGM’s solid foundation in order to broaden the scope of our business to provide worldwide audiences with innovative and original unscripted content.”