A. Smith & Co. Taps Caroline Baumgard as CEO

Caroline Baumgard is set to join A. Smith & Co. Productions as CEO in October, coming from Banijay Studios North America, where she helped launch the studio in 2014 and served for five years as chief creative officer.

Arthur Smith, Tinopolis USA chairman and A. Smith & Co. founder, will become chairman of A. Smith and continue to executive produce several of the company’s franchises while also focusing on his duties as chairman of Tinopolis USA (which includes oversight of Magical Elves and A. Smith & Co.).

Frank Sinton, a 14-year veteran of A. Smith & Co., has been named COO of Tinopolis USA, after having served in the same role at A. Smith & Co. Productions since 2011. Sinton also retains his role as president of A. Smith & Co.’s Dox division.

“Caroline’s creative instincts and exceptional relationships are two of the many reasons why she’s the perfect person to lead the next chapter of A. Smith & Co. when she joins us this fall,” said Smith. “I have every confidence that she will build upon our hard-earned reputation for creating big, high-quality, fan-favorite franchises for broadcast, cable and OTT buyers across the ever-expanding universe of viewing platforms.”

“For Arthur to pass his CEO torch to me is a great honor and I look forward to building on the great success of the company by developing, selling, and producing even more global hits,” said Baumgard. “​American Ninja Warrior​ is appointment television in my home. I’m not sure who is more excited about me running A. Smith & Co. as my next chapter, me or my kids.”

“Frank has been my closest confidante and a tremendous leader at A. Smith & Co. for well over a decade,” added Smith. “Expanding his role to include more oversight across the Tinopolis USA group of companies will immediately confer so many benefits to the broader team from his considerable expertise, and the TV ecosystem at large. Frank’s capabilities and grace cannot be overstated, and I’m so happy to continue working with him.”