Magical Elves hires for development

Joel Zimmer and Samantha Hanks

US-based non-fiction prodco Magical Elves has appointed an executive VP of development and promoted one of its team to executive VP of casting and talent relations.

Joel Zimmer has joined the Tinopolis Group-owned company’s ranks and will lead the division responsible for its development and sales.

Zimmer and Magical Elves have a shared history as his first production job was with the firm on an early season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing.

Prior to joining the Californian prodco, Zimmer ran indie Snow Day Entertainment and produced titles for the likes of A&E Originals, Fox Studios and Zee Americas. He was head of current for 495 Productions, overseeing and producing over 500 hours of programming.

Zimmer also served as showrunner on series such as Design Star and Dance Your Ass Off. Further production credits to his name include America’s Got Talent and Blue Collar Millionaires.

Meanwhile, the company has promoted long-serving casting executive Samantha Hanks to executive VP of casting and talent relations.

In her new role, she will continue to oversee all casting processes while exploring additional strategic partnerships for the company. During her time at Magical Elves, Hanks has overseen casting on shows including Emmy-nominated Top Chef, Bravo’s Project Runway and Netflix’s Nailed It!.

Prior to joining Magical Elves, Hanks produced titles for the Food Network, as well as working with production execs at Tribeca Productions, Paramount Pictures and director and producer Jon Favreau.

Co-CEOs Casey Kriley and Jo Sharon said: “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.”