Top Chef Producer Magical Elves Hires for Development

Magical Elves, producer of such reality hits as Top Chef and Project Runway, has tapped Joel Zimmer as executive VP of development, in addition to promoting Samantha Hanks to lead casting and talent relations.

Zimmer will spearhead the team responsible for all development and sales for Magical Elves. A veteran content creator and media executive, Zimmer’s first producing job was with Magical Elves on an early season of Last Comic Standing for NBC. More recently, Zimmer ran an independent banner, Snow Day Entertainment, and prior to that was head of current for 495 Productions. Additional producing credits for Zimmer include America’s Got Talent for NBC and Blue Collar Millionaires for CNBC.

Hanks’ expanded role as executive VP of casting and talent relations will include continued oversight of all casting of talent and contestants for the company’s entire slate of projects, while also exploring additional strategic partnerships for Magical Elves. During her tenure, Hanks has overseen key casting on projects such as the Emmy-nominated Netflix hit Nailed It!, with host Nicole Byer and Chef Jacques Torres, as well as the most recent seasons of Project Runway for Bravo that feature host Karlie Kloss, mentor Christian Siriano and judges Brandon Maxwell and Elaine Welteroth.

“With the addition of Joel, and the elevation of Samantha, Magical Elves has the right leadership in place to continue our growth, and further evolve our slate of quality, aspirational programming,” said Co-CEOs Casey Kriley and Jo Sharon. “Samantha’s contributions to casting and attracting high-caliber talent has been a key factor in our current success, and with Joel’s added expertise and enthusiasm, both executives will play a crucial role in dreaming up and creating the next generation of hit projects for Magical Elves.”

“There’s not a Magical Elves series over the last decade that I haven’t secretly wished I had created or worked on,” said Zimmer, “I’m thrilled to work with Casey, Jo and their amazing team as we start a new decade and develop even more series that bring the signature Magical Elves brand of elevated storytelling and characters.”

“Over the past ten years, Magical Elves has become my home,” said Hanks. “I’m extremely proud of the work our team has produced, and I look forward to building even more relationships with first-rate talent and network partners.”