Spike TV Adds to Original Programming Team

LOS ANGELES: Spike TV has made a number of promotions and executive hires within its original programming group, including Chris Rantamaki being elevated to senior VP of original series.

Rantamaki continues to report to Sharon Levy, the executive VP of original series at Spike. Rantamaki joined the network in April 2011 as the VP of original series. He now takes on oversight for the day-to-day department activities related to development and production.

Justin Lacob has been elevated to VP of original series. Lacob was previously the director of the division. In the new post, Lacob will be working with Levy and other team members on the development of the network’s scripted mini-series.

In the way of new hires, Hayley Lozitsky and Kevin Bartel both join the network as VPs of original series.

"The original series team’s expansion reflects our ever-continuing goal to create distinctive, bold shows geared toward a more-gender balanced audience," said Levy. "We are developing more original series than ever before, and we are bringing in two real superstars in Kevin Bartel and Hayley Lozitsky to join one of the best development teams in the business."

"I am thrilled to announce Chris’s well-deserved promotion today. He’ll now be taking more of a leadership role in the department and company," added Levy. "He is a rising star in our industry and his creativity, passion and taste have played an enormous role in helping Spike grow its slate of successful original programming."